Zelensky Leaves White House Unscathed, Buys Time
In a sharp contrast to his tumultuous visit earlier this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky departed the White House in high spirits—having navigated diplomatic sharp edges deftly and gained valuable time for Ukraine. A Cooler Reception This Time Around Unlike February’s contentious Oval Office showdown, this gathering had a notably more diplomatic tone. European leaders joined Zelensky at the White House to back his security push, reinforcing unity in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. Progress on Security Guarantees While President Donald Trump still ruled out a ceasefire, he signaled openness to offering Ukraine security guarantees—a shift welcomed by Zelensky and his European allies as a crucial strategic win. These could include U.S.-backed support or multi-nation assurances, even without a formal NATO membership. Europe’s Unified Front High-profile attendees—like French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister […]