Europeans urge Trump to defend Ukraine ahead of meeting with Putin
European leaders are making a concerted effort to influence U.S. President Donald Trump in the days leading up to his highly anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. Fearing an outcome unfavorable to Ukraine, European heads of state aim to ensure Trump advocates for Ukraine's sovereignty and security during the talks.
European pressure ahead of the summit
On Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host a virtual meeting with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, and Finland. The discussions will focus on pressuring Russia, preparing for potential peace negotiations, and addressing territorial disputes and security guarantees, according to a statement from Berlin.
European Union leaders, with the exception of Hungary, have reiterated their support for Ukraine’s right to determine its future. They emphasized that meaningful negotiations can only occur under a ceasefire or reduced hostilities.
Meanwhile, Putin has engaged in discussions with key international allies, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Concerns over territorial concessions
Ukraine and European leaders are particularly alarmed by the possibility of territorial concessions being discussed during the Trump-Putin meeting. Trump has indicated that territorial exchanges may be on the table, stating that Zelensky’s constitutional requirement for such decisions is a “complication.” He predicted “there will be exchanges of territories,” as Russian forces currently occupy roughly 20% of Ukraine’s land.
Although Trump has previously claimed he could end the Russian invasion within 24 hours, his earlier peace negotiation attempts, including three failed rounds of talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Turkey, have tempered expectations.
Escalation on the ground
On the battlefield, Russian forces have made strategic advances in recent weeks. Ukrainian military officials acknowledged a significant Russian breakthrough in the Donetsk region, with troops advancing several kilometers near the town of Pokrovsk.
In Kyiv, Zelensky expressed deep concern, warning that Russia is preparing for renewed offensives rather than seeking an end to the war. He criticized the Trump-Putin summit as a personal victory for the Russian leader and firmly rejected any withdrawal from eastern Ukraine as part of a peace deal.
Moscow’s demands and Ukraine’s stance
Russia’s demands remain uncompromising. Moscow insists Ukraine cede the partially occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, in addition to Crimea, annexed in 2014. Further demands include halting Western arms deliveries to Ukraine and rejecting NATO membership.
These terms are unacceptable to Kyiv, which continues to call for a full withdrawal of Russian troops, Western security guarantees, and continued arms deliveries. Ukraine also seeks the deployment of an EU-led peacekeeping contingent to strengthen its defense.
As the Anchorage summit approaches, the international community awaits the outcome, with Ukraine’s future and the broader geopolitical balance hanging in the balance.
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