Europes Bold Stand: Trump Faces Mounting Pressure to Include Ukraine in High-Stakes Putin Summit – Or Risk Alienating Allies!
Europe’s leaders are stepping up their calls on Donald Trump to ensure Ukraine plays a central role in any upcoming talks with Vladimir Putin. This push comes amid warnings from Germany that no agreements should be made without input from Europeans and Ukrainians.
The move highlights growing concerns as a possible meeting between the US and Russian presidents is set for Friday in Alaska. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed hope that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would join the discussions. In an interview with broadcaster ARD, Merz stressed Berlin’s close coordination with Washington to make this happen.
“We cannot accept in any case that territorial questions are discussed or even decided between Russia and America over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians,” Merz said. “I assume that the American government sees it the same way.”
Nato’s Firm Stance on Ukraine’s Sovereignty
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte described the summit as a key test of Putin’s commitment to ending the ongoing conflict. “It will be, of course, about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides on its own future, that Ukraine has to be a sovereign nation, deciding on its own geopolitical future,” Rutte added in pointed comments.
Echoing this view, the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced an emergency meeting of EU ministers for Monday. “President Trump is right that Russia has to end its war against Ukraine. The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously. Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine’s and the whole of Europe’s security,” Kallas stated.
US Response and Diplomatic Efforts
US Vice-President JD Vance, fresh from a meeting with UK Foreign Minister David Lammy during his holiday in England, outlined Washington’s approach. Speaking to Fox News, Vance said efforts were underway for talks involving Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump. However, he suggested it might not be helpful for Putin and Zelenskyy to meet before the Russian leader speaks with Trump.
“We’re at a point now where we’re trying to figure out, frankly, scheduling and things like that, around when these three leaders could sit down and discuss an end to this conflict,” Vance explained.
Continued Violence Amid Talks
Even as diplomatic activity intensifies, fighting shows no signs of easing. Ukrainian authorities reported five deaths from Russian shelling and drone attacks on Sunday. Meanwhile, Russia claimed one person was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in its southern Saratov region.
The day before, tragedy struck in Ukraine: two people died and 16 were injured when a Russian drone targeted a minibus in Kherson’s suburbs, according to regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin. In Zaporizhzhia, another drone attack on a car claimed two more lives, as reported by the local governor.
Coordinated European Support for Kyiv
Late Saturday, leaders from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, and Finland, joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, released a joint statement. It emphasized that the “path to peace” in Ukraine must involve Kyiv directly. While welcoming Trump’s peace initiatives, they insisted negotiations should follow a ceasefire or reduced hostilities.
“Only an approach that combines active diplomacy, support to Ukraine and pressure on the Russian Federation to end their illegal war can succeed,” the statement read.Zelenskyy responded positively on X, saying: “The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations.”
Key Meetings and Historical Context
The same day, Lammy hosted Vance and Ukrainian and European partners at Chevening, a historic Kent mansion used by the UK foreign secretary, to advance peace efforts.If the Trump-Putin summit proceeds, it would mark the first US-Russia presidential meeting since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin’s last encounter with a US leader was with Joe Biden in Geneva in June 2021.
While deal specifics remain undisclosed, Trump has hinted at “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both,” potentially requiring Ukraine to cede land. Zelenskyy firmly rejected this on Saturday, declaring Ukrainians would “not give up their land to occupiers.”A European official confirmed a counterproposal from European representatives at Chevening, though details were withheld. Reports suggest it demands a ceasefire first, reciprocal territory exchanges, and strong security guarantees.
Zelenskyy described the meeting as constructive in his evening address: “All our arguments were heard. The path to peace for Ukraine should be determined together and only together with Ukraine. This is [a] key principle.”
Hopes for a Breakthrough
Merz voiced optimism for progress at the summit, despite uncertainties about participants. “We hope that there will be a breakthrough on Friday,” he said. “Above all [we hope] that there will finally be a ceasefire and that there can be peace negotiations in Ukraine.”This unfolding situation underscores the delicate balance between diplomacy and the harsh realities on the ground, as allies work to shape a lasting resolution.
