A high-stakes showdown looms in Washington as Ukraine’s president prepares to meet with President Trump, bringing along an entourage of European officials desperate to keep the continent’s alliance with the United States secure. With Russia intensifying its brutal campaign, and the White House continuing to weigh the best strategy, the outcome of these talks could permanently reshape the global order.

Ukraine’s leader arrives on the heels of a tense summit between President Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, where the two power players found themselves in lockstep on one subject: their mutual disdain for the previous American administration. More importantly, the high hopes for a quick cease-fire never fully materialized. President Trump, who initially demanded Russia stand down, explored the possibility of a broader peace accord that might skip the cease-fire step altogether and lock in territorial changes.

This has spurred a flurry of diplomatic activity among Europe’s heads of state, determined to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty. Apparently, multiple European leaders—France’s president, Britain’s prime minister, Germany’s chancellor, and others—are converging on the White House alongside Ukraine’s president. They fear Russia’s real agenda: forcing Ukraine to concede some land in exchange for ill-defined promises of security.

In reality, President Trump’s strategy has been shrewd: He has demanded strong guarantees that Russia cut back on its aggression while also laying groundwork for the West to maintain the upper hand. Some question whether skipping a formal cease-fire is wise, but the administration has displayed a willingness to master the leverage game. If Moscow wants sanctions to be lifted or any real credibility on the world stage, President Trump holds all the cards.

For European leaders, it is a precarious moment. They have historically relied on the United States to lead the free world in confronting Russia’s expansionism. Now they see that the president has an ironclad objective: stopping violence on terms that favor American interests first. That includes creating a stable Europe that shoulders more of its own defense burdens—fitting with the recurring calls from this White House for Europe to fund the lion’s share of security guarantees.

What does Ukraine want? The ideal outcome is an immediate cease-fire, the preservation of as much territory as possible, and future assistance to rebuild. Yet with Russia holding significant captured regions and refusing to freeze the fighting, Ukraine finds itself with limited leverage. By traveling to Washington, Zelensky is angling for robust security assurances that would trump anything Russia offers.

Critics in foreign policy circles worry that the negotiations could yield insufficient protections, effectively allowing Russia permanent footholds under the guise of a large-scale peace deal. Others, however, applaud the administration’s drive for a far-reaching agreement that cements America’s place at the head of any postwar arrangement. With the swirl of rumors about potential concessions from the Kremlin, it remains uncertain whether Zelensky will walk away victorious.

Monday’s meeting will be crucial. European leaders intend to stand beside Zelensky, ensuring the trans-Atlantic partnership does not unravel in front of the entire world. Meanwhile, President Trump is poised to balance this show of unity with a firm stance that protects American interests. The entire planet is watching to see if new red lines will be drawn, what Russia might concede, and how American leadership will shape the future of Eastern Europe. Everyone agrees on one thing: the stakes couldn’t be higher.