Athens Ahead of D.C. Meeting: ‘Only Ukraine Can Take Decisions Over Territorial Issues’

A called “Coalition of the Willing” and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky concluded on Sunday, a day before at least six European leaders — including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Finnish President Alexander Stubb – will join a meeting between Donald Trump and the Ukrainian leader at the White House.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis party in the remote conference, convened through an initiative by Paris.

As widely reported, the Europeans were briefed over the results of a historic meeting in Anchorage, Alaska between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose decision to invade parts of eastern and southern Ukraine in February 2022 sparked the biggest conflict in the European continent since WWII.

Reports from Athens after the meeting have the Greek side maintaining its position over the need for an immediate ceasefire and the significance of security guarantees that include US participation. Moreover, the Greek government insists that only Ukraine can decide on matters affecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Reports from Athens after the meeting have the Greek side maintaining its position over the need for an immediate ceasefire and the significance of security guarantees that include US participation. Moreover, the Greek government insists that only Ukraine can decide on matters affecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Today in Brussels, I outlined our positions on transatlantic unity, peace efforts, territorial issues, and security guarantees, including Ukraine’s EU accession.

It’s crucial that Europe remains as united as it was in 2022. This strong unity is essential to achieve a real peace. pic.twitter.com/PcT2CNgY8G

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 17, 2025

The latest developments ahead of the closely watched meeting on Monday include the arrival to D.C. of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who’ll travel to the US capital with Starmer and Stubb, along with Macron of France; Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy; NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU’s executive branch.

Great to have you here, dear @ZelenskyyUa.

We continue our cooperation to achieve a just peace that respects Ukraine & Europe’s vital security interests.

With the Coalition of the Willing in Brussels today, and in the White House with @POTUS tomorrow ↓ https://t.co/HF9Tj5TLgj

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 17, 2025

According to reports citing European officials, Trump will first meet with Zelensky, with a working lunch to follow and then a wide-ranging meeting to include European leaders

The meeting will come three days after talks in Alaska between Trump and Putin ended inconclusively but raised concerns in Europe of Trump gravitating more to the Kremlin’s positions.