Europe and Ukraine Remain Uneasy Ahead of Trump-Putin Summit 

European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed US President Donald Trump this week to safeguard Kyiv’s interests ahead of his high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, voicing concern that the hastily arranged summit could sideline them and lead to concessions favoring Moscow, the BBC reported. 

On Wednesday, Trump, European leaders, and Zelenskyy held a virtual meeting that included European Union Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. 

During the call, Trump told the Europeans that his goal was to secure a ceasefire deal with Putin, adding that any territorial issues should only be decided with Zelenskyy’s involvement. He also said security guarantees must be part of any deal. 

The US leader also warned Russia of “very severe consequences” if it doesn’t halt its war against Ukraine, although he did not clarify what those would be, according to Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty. 

The virtual meeting came two days ahead of a summit between Trump and Putin at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base near Anchorage. The upcoming summit excludes Kyiv and its European allies, prompting fears of an agreement that would mainly benefit Russia. 

Following the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron said the call “clarified” Trump’s intentions: He noted that Trump told Europe’s leaders that while NATO would not be part of any security guarantees, the US president agreed that “the United States and all the parties involved should take part,” CBS News noted. 

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stressed that “international borders must not be changed by force,” adding that any deal must include “robust and credible” security guarantees. 

On Thursday, Starmer met Zelenskyy in London to discuss summit expectations and long-term security arrangements. The Ukrainian leader insisted that peace would only be sustainable if the US succeeded in pressuring Russia to “stop the killings and engage in real, meaningful diplomacy.” 

European leaders have insisted that Ukraine must be directly involved in any peace process, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warning that if Russia refuses concessions, “the United States and we Europeans should and must increase the pressure.”  

Meanwhile, Putin held preparatory meetings in Russia, saying Washington was making “energetic and sincere efforts” to end the war.  

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Friday’s talks would open with a one-on-one session between Trump and Putin before delegation meetings and a joint press conference. The main focus will be on Ukraine, but economic cooperation is also on the agenda. 

Even so, skepticism remains high among Ukraine and its allies over worries that Kyiv would have to concede territory to Russia. Since announcing the summit, Trump has spoken of potential “land-swapping” between Kyiv and Moscow. 

Russia insists on Kyiv withdrawing from four partially occupied regions in eastern Ukraine and abandoning its NATO ambitions – terms Kyiv and European allies reject. 

Zelenskyy has warned that Russia would use any retained territory as a base for future attacks.