European leaders are on an all-out push to forestall Oval Office conflict at a crucial stage in diplomacy to end Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Donald Trump’s embrace of Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Friday has European leaders anxious that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy won’t get the same friendly treatment. And they’re taking action to bolster Kyiv’s chances.
Plans are in the works to send at least one of Trump’s favorite interlocutors, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, along with Zelenskyy when he comes to Washington Monday to meet with Trump, according to two European diplomats and a person familiar with the matter.
The idea is that Stubb can help prevent any flare-ups between Trump and Zelenskyy and convince the U.S. president to include Europe in any further talks.
EU leaders: “Watch and learn, Zelenskyy… Yes Mr Trump, you win, we agree to everything you said.”