A united European voice is echoing through Washington this week, delivering a clear verdict on Donald Trump’s rumored peace plan for Ukraine: it is a “non-starter.” A powerful delegation of leaders has arrived to support Volodymyr Zelenskyy and ensure this message is heard loud and clear in the Oval Office.
The term “non-starter,” reportedly used by French President Emmanuel Macron, encapsulates the European position. It’s not a point for negotiation; it’s a fundamental rejection of a plan that would reward Russian aggression by forcing Ukraine to cede territory.
This “bodyguard” mission is designed to give weight to this verdict. By having leaders from across the continent repeat this message, they are demonstrating a continent-wide consensus that Trump cannot dismiss as the opinion of just one or two nations.
From Macron’s strategic arguments to Keir Starmer’s focus on territorial integrity and Ursula von der Leyen’s vision for a strong Ukraine, every aspect of the European presentation reinforces this core idea. They are not in Washington to haggle over the details of a bad plan, but to persuade the White House to abandon it entirely.