Upcoming Virtual Meeting Between Ukrainian Leaders and Trump

On Wednesday, European and Ukrainian leaders are set to have a virtual discussion with President Donald Trump ahead of his summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump has engaged with Putin, who is viewed unfavorably in the West. During a recent meeting in Alaska, Trump mentioned that this gathering would be more about gauging feelings than making concrete decisions regarding the ongoing conflict.

Last week, in a surprising turn of events, Trump shifted his stance after agreeing to the first US-Russia summit since 2021, expressing ongoing frustration with Putin’s resistance to US-led peace efforts.

Trump stated that his representative had made “great progress” during discussions in Moscow.

He believes that both Ukraine and Russia must relinquish some territory to bring the conflict to a close.

Currently, Russian forces occupy nearly one-fifth of Ukraine’s land.

The unpredictability surrounding the upcoming summit has raised apprehensions among European nations, even as US and Russian leaders seem to have made broad decisions, potentially compromising Ukraine’s position.

An official from Eastern Europe commented, “We’re focusing on preventing this from happening. We’re in close contact with our US allies and are making an effort to ensure unity here in Europe as we approach Friday.” This emphasizes the urgency as discussions progress.

Trump’s administration tempered expectations for significant breakthroughs regarding a ceasefire, calling the Alaska meeting more of a “listening exercise.” The video conference with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and leaders from various European nations is scheduled for 1200 GMT, according to a spokesman from the German government.

NATO’s executive director is also expected to join a meeting hosted by German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz.

Ukraine anticipates that this conference will serve as a valuable counterbalance to the discussions taking place in Alaska.

European leaders, cautious about provoking Trump’s displeasure, have underscored their support for his peace initiatives, insisting that any resolution involving Ukraine should include Ukrainian participation.

Several European officials conveyed to Reuters their concern about potential decisions that could jeopardize the security of Europe and Ukraine. They believe that unity among European nations is vital if such an outcome occurs.

Sources familiar with discussions within the US government indicated that Trump might consider direct negotiations with Putin, bypassing Ukraine or Europe. However, there is skepticism about this approach, as it could complicate matters for Kiev and the EU.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that the upcoming summit will function as a “listening exercise,” intended to gather insights on what is needed to broker a deal.

Following the call, Trump and Vice President JD Vance plan to engage with European leaders at another online session scheduled for 1300 GMT, as stated by a German spokesman.

This will be succeeded by a meeting of Willing’s Union, a coalition focused on supporting Ukraine in case a ceasefire occurs, set for 1430 GMT.

Pressure on the Battlefield

A Gallup poll released last week indicates that 69% of Ukrainians support negotiating to end the war as soon as possible. However, they are clear about not wanting peace at any price, especially if it requires significant concessions.

Before the upcoming call, Zelensky emphasized that it would be unacceptable for Ukraine to agree to a deal that involves withdrawing troops from the Eastern Donbas region. He noted that such a withdrawal would dismantle the defense structure and make it easier for Russia to continue its offensive.

Zelensky pointed out that discussions regarding territorial issues should only begin after a ceasefire is achieved and Ukraine receives firm security guarantees.

Recently, Russian military operations have intensified, tightening their grip on cities such as Pokrovsk and Kostiantinivka in eastern Ukraine.