Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left his embassy for the White House on Monday as air raid sirens started to sound in several parts of Ukraine, signaling incoming Russian attacks, according to CNN reporter Kristen Holmes..

Zelensky is meeting with a group of European leaders at the White House to continue negotiations aimed at ending the war following Russia’s invasion. Just before 8 p.m. local time in Kyiv, as residents rushed to shelters, the Ukrainian air raid alert map showed at least five regions at risk.

Zelensky’s visit to the White House comes only days after President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which ended without an agreement. Putin continues to demand that Ukraine cede part of its territory to Russia.

Trump’s stated goal is to persuade Zelensky to accept some of Putin’s demands, including relinquishing land and vowing never to seek NATO membership.

In a post on X on Monday, Zelensky outlined the goals he and his fellow European leaders hope to achieve during these talks.

"Our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and all of Europe," he said. "It is important that the dynamics of all our meetings yield exactly this result. We understand that Putin cannot be expected to voluntarily abandon aggression and new expansionist attempts. Therefore, pressure must be applied, and it must be joint pressure – from the USA and Europe, from everyone in the world who respects the right to live and the international order."

"We must stop the killings, and I thank the partners who are working toward this and ultimately toward a reliable and dignified peace," he continued. "Together with the leaders of Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Commission, and the NATO Secretary General, we coordinated our positions ahead of the meeting with President Trump. Ukraine is ready for a real ceasefire and the establishment of a new security architecture. We need peace."