European leaders are in Washington to back Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he faces mounting pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump to accept a rapid peace deal with Russia. Trump, who recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, has called for a settlement rather than a ceasefire — a position that aligns more closely with Moscow’s stance.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington does not want the war to drag on but warned that without progress, “people will continue to die by the thousands.”

Ahead of the talks, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer huddled with allies to bolster Zelensky’s position. Their goal is to secure firm security guarantees for Ukraine, as concerns grow in Europe that Zelensky could face another tense clash with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, echoing his difficult February visit to the Oval Office.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined Zelensky to address the press before the high-stakes discussions.