Europe and Kyiv unite in push to shape Trump-Putin talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders met Wednesday in a series of calls with President Donald Trump, seeking to influence the agenda for Trump’s upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz organized the calls, wanting to present a united European and Ukrainian front before the talks.

“Fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be safeguarded in Alaska,” Merz said. “That was the message we Europeans conveyed to U.S. President Trump today. And I can say that we were in broad agreement both on the assessment of the current situation and on the achievable goal for next Friday.”

What is the goal of the summit?

Trump called the summit a “feel-out meeting” to determine if Putin is serious about ending the war in Ukraine, which has now entered its fourth year. He has suggested possible land swaps and said Ukraine may have to relinquish some Russian-held territory.

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy said Putin is demanding Ukraine’s withdrawal from the 30% of the Donetsk region that Kyiv still holds, a proposal Zelenskyy rejected as unconstitutional and a prelude to further aggression.

“It is impossible to solve this without Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said Wednesday. “Putin definitely does not want peace. He wants the occupation of our country.”

What are Ukraine and Europe demanding?

Zelenskyy, Merz and other leaders have called for Ukraine’s direct involvement in any negotiations. They said a ceasefire must come first, followed by security guarantees and a framework agreement, before discussing territorial issues.

“We must prepare a trilateral format for the conversation,” Zelenskyy said. “There must be a ceasefire, number one, there must be really reliable security guarantees. Today, by the way, President Trump spoke about supporting this and about America’s readiness to participate.”

Merz stressed that “legal recognition of Russian occupations is not up for debate” and that borders must not be changed by force.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the coalition of supporting nations is prepared to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities end and to increase economic sanctions if needed.

“There could be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine,” Starmer said. “It is important to remind colleagues that we do stand ready also to increase pressure on Russia, particularly the economy, with sanctions and wider measures as may be necessary.”

Why are European allies concerned?

European officials worry that talks without Kyiv could tilt toward Moscow and let the Kremlin shape the terms. They are also concerned that a favorable outcome for Russia in Ukraine could embolden the Kremlin to target other countries.

Three weeks after returning to office, the Trump administration removed NATO membership for Ukraine from U.S. negotiations, a long-standing Russian demand. It signaled that Europe should take the lead in its own security.

PBS News reports that senior EU officials believe Trump may prioritize a ceasefire over Kyiv’s long-term security and focus on broader U.S.-Russia relations.

What is the military situation ahead of the talks?

On the battlefield, Russian forces are advancing on the key city of Pokrovsk in the Donbas; capturing it would threaten Ukrainian supply lines in the region. Ukraine’s General Staff said drones hit the Unecha oil hub, which feeds the Russian military and moves oil via two pipelines with a combined annual capacity of about 60 million tons.

Zelenskyy said his government has held more than 30 conversations with partners ahead of the Alaska summit and urged pressure through both American and European sanctions.

“We need further pressure for peace. Not only American, but also European sanctions,” he said.