Here’s what we know about which aircraft European leaders, including President Zelenskyy, used to fly to Washington for yesterday’s summit with President Trump on Russia and the Ukraine War.

Aircraft Used By European Leaders For Washington Summit On Ukraine War

Leaders from across Europe descended upon Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington, DC for a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday, August 18, 2025. The meeting comes after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy flew aboard Ukraine’s Airbus ACJ319, registration UR-ABA, a VIP-configured jet with auxiliary tanks and secure communications systems. Zelenskyy began the day at Melsbroek Air Base in Belgium, flying nonstop to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Ukrainian airspace is closed, so Zelenskyy will return to Krakow where he will take alternative transport, typically a secured train, back into Kyiv.

> Read More: My 18-Hour Train Ride From Warsaw To Kyiv

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer flew on the UK government’s Airbus A321LR, tail number G-GBNI, operated under Titan Airways as a VIP-configured jet. It was tracked arriving at Joint Base Andrews on August 18.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Meloni’s delegation arrived aboard the Italian Air Force’s Airbus A319CJ, registration MM62209.

French President Emmanuel Macron

Macron traveled on France’s presidential Airbus A330-200, registered F-RARF, call sign CTM006. It was tracked inbound to Andrews.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

Germany’s Chancellor flew aboard the German Government’s Airbus Corporate Jet A319 (ACJ319). He first flew from Cologne to Munich, then to Glasgow, and finally to Andrews.

Other Leaders (Stubb, Rutte, von der Leyen)

No verifiable ADS-B data or photos (at least that I have been able to find) have confirmed the aircraft used by Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Publicity and flight tracking data on their transports have not surfaced.

CONCLUSION

Yesterday was quite a day in Washington. Starmer, Meloni, Merz, Macron, and Zelenskyy flew on their respective VIP-configured aircraft to take part in a historic meeting that all sides hope will bring an end to the war.

Will this diplomatic summit yield fruit in a future meeting with Zelenskyy and Putin? Can there be lasting peace by ceding land that was illegally stolen by force? Will Russia be content with 20% of Ukraine, or is this like 1936 all over again?

The aircraft may be interesting, but these questions weigh large.