European Leaders to Engage with Trump Before Putin Summit

BRUSSELS/LONDON/KYIV - In a crucial virtual meeting scheduled for Wednesday, leaders from Europe and Ukraine are set to discuss significant concerns with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This meeting aims to emphasize the potential risks of compromising Ukraine's interests in the quest for a ceasefire.

The summit, slated to take place in Alaska on Friday, marks the first U.S.-Russia meeting since 2021. President Trump has described the talks as an opportunity to gauge the situation in his efforts to bring an end to the ongoing Russo-Ukraine conflict. Recently, he shifted his stance to approve the summit after expressing dissatisfaction with Putin's response to U.S. peace initiatives, stating that his envoy had made notable strides in discussions in Moscow.

Trump has indicated that both Ukraine and Russia may need to make territorial concessions to reach a resolution, while Russian forces currently occupy nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory. This unpredictability surrounding the summit has heightened European leaders' concerns that Trump and Putin may make consequential decisions, potentially pressuring Ukraine into an unfavorable agreement.

A senior Eastern European official noted the importance of maintaining solidarity among European nations to avert any detrimental outcomes during the talks. The U.S. administration has tempered expectations for any significant breakthroughs from the summit, labeling it primarily as a 'listening exercise' for Trump.

The virtual conference will involve Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and leaders from Germany, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and the European Union. NATO's Secretary-General will also participate in the meeting, which is hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Ukraine aims for this conference to act as a counterbalance to the forthcoming summit in Alaska.

European leaders have consistently emphasized their support for Trump's peace efforts but have insisted that no agreements regarding Ukraine should be made without its involvement. Reports indicate that several senior European officials are apprehensive about a potential deal that might undermine both European security and Ukraine's stability. They stress the necessity of European unity in the face of such developments.

Insider sources in the U.S. have suggested that Trump might pursue an agreement directly with Putin, potentially sidelining Ukraine and Europe. However, there are concerns that such an approach could lead to significant backlash from Kyiv and the EU.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the forthcoming summit would primarily be an opportunity for Trump to listen to what is necessary for achieving a peaceful resolution.

After the initial call, Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to engage with European leaders in a separate online meeting. Following this, an online meeting of the 'coalition of the willing' will convene to discuss plans for supporting Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

A recent Gallup poll revealed that a substantial 69% of Ukrainians support a negotiated resolution to the conflict as soon as possible. However, there is a strong sentiment against accepting peace at any cost, particularly if it requires significant concessions.

President Zelenskiy has underscored that any agreement demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the eastern Donbas region is unacceptable, as it would dismantle a crucial defensive network and potentially enable further Russian advances into Ukraine. He stressed that discussions about territorial adjustments should only commence following the establishment of a ceasefire and the receipt of security guarantees for Ukraine.

In recent weeks, Russian military pressure has intensified, particularly around the cities of Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine.