Zelenskyy Calls for ‘Joint Pressure’ on Russia Ahead of White House Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Western allies to intensify “joint pressure” on Russia, saying Moscow will not end its war in Ukraine voluntarily and that only a coordinated international response can bring about lasting peace.

The appeal came just hours before Zelenskyy entered the White House for high-stakes talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, in a visit widely seen as a critical moment for Kyiv’s battle to secure continued military and political backing from its partners.

In a social media post published shortly before the meeting, the Ukrainian leader said: “Our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe. We understand that we shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest. That is why pressure must work, and it must be joint pressure – from the United States and Europe, and from everyone in the world who respects the right to life and the international order.”

Zelenskyy’s message reflects mounting concern in Kyiv that Western unity could fray as the war drags into its third year. Ukraine continues to rely heavily on U.S. weapons and financial assistance, while European states have struggled to maintain consensus on sanctions and long-term security guarantees.

In recent days, Zelenskyy held discussions with the leaders of Finland, the UK, Italy, and the European Commission, as well as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in what he described as an effort to “coordinate positions” ahead of the Washington talks.

“We must stop the killings,” he said. “Ukraine is ready for a real truce and for establishing a new security architecture. We need peace.”

The language marked a notable attempt to frame Ukraine’s war not only as a national struggle but as a global security challenge. By linking Ukraine’s fate to the wider stability of Europe, Zelenskyy is seeking to remind allies that the stakes extend far beyond his country’s borders.

The White House meeting is expected to address not just battlefield support but also longer-term commitments, including potential frameworks for a ceasefire and a new European security order. Yet analysts warn that with Russia showing no sign of backing down, and Western capitals grappling with domestic political divisions, forging a coherent strategy will be far from straightforward.

For Zelenskyy, the path forward hinges on sustaining international unity. “A reliable and dignified peace,” he said, can only emerge if allies maintain common purpose — and resist the temptation to ease pressure on Moscow prematurely.