Handshakes and Hardball: Europe Prepares for a Trump Showdown on Ukraine

Europe’s leaders are preparing for a session of diplomatic hardball in Washington, even as they engage in the customary handshakes. A delegation has arrived to back Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is set to face off with Donald Trump over a controversial pro-Russia “peace plan.”
This “bodyguard” mission is born from the memory of Zelenskyy’s last difficult encounter with Trump. The allies are there to ensure he is not bullied into a deal that would compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty by ceding territory.
The European team is ready for both friendly engagement and firm opposition. French President Emmanuel Macron, known for his intense handshakes with Trump, has also become one of Ukraine’s most important diplomatic allies and will not shy away from a direct confrontation over the flawed peace plan.
He is supported by a diverse group of leaders. The UK’s Keir Starmer will offer warm, personal support to Zelenskyy while maintaining a pragmatic line with Trump. Germany’s Friedrich Merz will bring the cautious weight of his nation’s economic power, urging against rash decisions. This combination of approaches is Europe’s best defense against a bad deal.