**European Leaders Descend on US to Protect Ukraine Amidst Trump's Strategic Shift**

In an urgent diplomatic maneuver, several European leaders have traveled to the U.S. in a bid to reinforce support for Ukraine while countering a concerning shift in President Trump's stance on the war, following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Notably, Trump’s retraction of his earlier demands for a ceasefire as a precursor to negotiations has left European leaders apprehensive about the implications for both Ukraine and broader European security.

European leaders, led by President Macron of France and Italy's Georgia Meloni, hastily rearranged their schedules, prioritizing Washington discussions over personal engagements. Their rapid response reflects an acute awareness of the potential fallout from Trump's recent policy changes, which pivot towards a more favorable position for Russia. Amidst their talks, officials emphasized the need for a cohesive European strategy to ensure Ukraine's military strength remains intact while advocating for ongoing military and financial support from allies.

Diplomatic exchanges focused on clarifying the parameters of any future peace, with European leaders insisting that security guarantees for Ukraine cannot be divorced from territorial discussions. The underlying aim of this diplomatic mission is to persuade the U.S. administration that a robust commitment to Ukraine's defense is essential, both for the nation and the security of Europe as a whole.

As the discussions unfold in Washington, the urgency of the situation underlines the complexities of international diplomacy and the high stakes involved in determining the course of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

European leaders are striving for a delicate balance in engaging with Trump to ensure that efforts to secure peace do not equate to capitulation to Russian demands, thereby safeguarding the region's stability for the future.