Zelensky:"European unity is essential for peace; a ceasefire is needed now."

“It is essential that Europe remains united as in 2022. This strong unity is essential to achieve real peace. First of all, we need to stop the killings, and therefore a ceasefire”. This was declared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after participating in the meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing, held via video conference. The head of state of Kiev connected from Brussels together with the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The video call took place on the eve of Zelensky's visit from Donald Trump to Washington, where several European leaders will also be going: in addition to Von der Leyen, there will be the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the French President Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the President of Finland Alexander Stubb, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer and the Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte. The White House meeting comes after the August 15th summit between Trump and Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska.

"Today in Brussels, I outlined our positions on transatlantic unity, peace efforts, territorial issues, and security guarantees, including Ukraine's accession to the EU," Zelensky said. This will be the first time the Kyiv president has visited Washington since his visit to the White House on February 28, when a heated verbal exchange with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance erupted in the Oval Office. Despite his opposition to Moscow's terms, the Ukrainian leader is willing to negotiate a ceasefire. The Washington meeting is a necessary first step towards a trilateral meeting between Zelensky himself, Trump, and Putin as soon as possible. This three-way summit, according to the tycoon, could be organized as early as Friday, August 22.