BRUSSELS — European leaders pressed on Wednesday for concrete security guarantees for Ukraine, days after President Volodymyr Zelensky met Donald Trump in Washington to discuss a framework for ending Russia's war.

The Washington meeting brought Zelensky together with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They sought to shape any settlement and avoid terms seen as favourable to Moscow, with discussions centring on territorial questions and postwar guarantees.

A European Commission spokesperson said Brussels remained committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and would coordinate closely with member states on any peace architecture. European officials have signalled reluctance to endorse concessions on Ukrainian territory without firm commitments protecting Kyiv against future aggression.

The Kremlin has resisted proposals for Western troop deployments in Ukraine, and Russian officials have insisted on recognition of territorial gains. Analysts at the European Council on Foreign Relations cautioned that the gap between Moscow's demands and Kyiv's red lines remained wide, complicating hopes for a rapid breakthrough.

European diplomats indicated further consultations would continue this week, with the possibility of a leaders' summit involving Russia under discussion. No date has been confirmed for direct talks between Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin.