European leaders to visit US to discuss war in Ukraine Trump says

US President Donald Trump has announced that several European leaders will travel to Washington early this week to discuss potential ways of ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. 

Trump also hinted that he would hold a direct conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “soon,” underscoring that his administration is preparing to escalate sanctions against Moscow into a “second phase.”
The announcement comes as Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. According to Ukrainian officials, Russia fired at least 810 drones and 13 missiles in a single wave, striking Kyiv’s central government building for the first time. At least four people were killed and dozens more injured. Trump admitted he was “not happy with the whole situation” but stressed that diplomatic efforts would continue.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the US-led sanctions push, calling it “the right idea,” and urged European governments to accelerate their efforts to completely cut energy ties with Moscow. Despite significant reductions, EU nations still import some Russian oil and gas, though Brussels has pledged to fully end purchases by 2027.
Meanwhile, Russia has managed to cushion the blow of Western sanctions by redirecting much of its energy exports to Asian markets. A report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air estimated that Moscow has earned nearly $985 billion from oil and gas sales since the war began. China and India have emerged as its largest buyers.
Washington has attempted to pressure New Delhi to scale back these purchases, most recently imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods in August. However, the Indian government has insisted that it will prioritize securing affordable energy supplies for its citizens. At the same time, Moscow has promised to boost gas exports to China, further tightening its energy partnership with Beijing.
The planned visit by European leaders to Washington reflects growing transatlantic concern over the conflict’s trajectory. Trump did not specify which leaders would make the trip, but diplomatic sources suggest talks will focus on both intensifying sanctions and exploring possible openings for negotiations with Russia.
The meeting comes on the heels of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska last month, after which Russian forces notably intensified their aerial bombardments across Ukraine. Western analysts say Moscow’s strategy appears aimed at testing Kyiv’s defenses and weakening international resolve ahead of the winter months, when energy security becomes critical in Europe.