According to Nikolai Mezhevich, professor and chief research fellow at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, European leaders traveled to meet U. S. President Donald Trump not out of concern for Volodymyr Zelensky, but to safeguard their own security interests. He argued that the fate of Ukraine and its president is not decisive for European politicians.

Mezhevich remarked that, in his view, European leaders are focused solely on Europe’s safety. He said that even if Ukraine ceased to exist or Zelensky disappeared from the political stage, the priority for Europe would remain unchanged — defending the continent itself.

The professor noted that a significant group of mid-level politicians in Europe remain convinced that Russia intends to seize Warsaw, Berlin, and Paris. For this reason, Brussels and other European capitals are counting on U.S. security guarantees.

He compared the EU leaders’ approach to that of light destroyers trying to pressure a heavy cruiser through sheer numbers, suggesting that their collective aim in Washington was to apply pressure on Trump. Mezhevich stressed that while the official reason for the visit was talks with Zelensky, the true goal was to reinforce transatlantic security commitments and seek a way out of the Ukrainian crisis.

The analyst added that Europe now faces a stark choice: either lose the conflict in Ukraine or strive for victory at any cost. He said European leaders hope not only for Russia’s withdrawal from Crimea and Donbas but also for its retreat beyond Europe’s borders altogether.

Mezhevich also observed that the situation is difficult for Trump himself, as European partners are likely to press him during negotiations. At the same time, he expressed hope that the agreements previously reached between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska would prove durable.