Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a significant visit to Berlin on August 13, participating in a crucial virtual meeting hosted by Germany. This meeting brought together Donald Trump and various European leaders just two days before the U.S. President’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The gathering highlighted Europe's concerns regarding the potential compromises that could jeopardize Kyiv's interests during this pivotal summit, marking the first U.S.-Russia encounter since 2021.
During his visit, Zelenskiy engaged in bilateral talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after which they joined a video conference with leaders from Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and the European Union at 2 p.m. (1200 GMT). Notably, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was also present. Trump, along with Vice President JD Vance, was set to join the call at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT). On his platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed optimism about the discussions, stating, "They are great people who want to see a deal done."
The upcoming summit in Alaska has sparked significant apprehension among European leaders and Ukraine, who fear that critical decisions might be made without their input, potentially coercing Ukraine into an unfavorable agreement. A senior official from Eastern Europe emphasized the importance of maintaining coordination and unity among European nations to prevent such outcomes. Despite their apprehension, European leaders have expressed support for Trump's initiatives while firmly stating that no deals concerning Ukraine—where roughly a fifth of the territory is under Russian occupation—should be negotiated without Ukraine's involvement.
On the eve of the meeting, Trump's administration downplayed expectations, indicating that the summit would primarily serve as a listening session for the U.S. President. Trump’s recent agreement to participate in the summit marked a noteworthy change after weeks of expressing frustration with Putin over the lack of progress in U.S. peace initiatives. Reports from Trump’s envoy suggested that significant advancements had been made in discussions with Moscow.
Several senior European officials revealed to Reuters their anxieties regarding the potential for a deal that could undermine both European and Ukrainian security. They underscored the necessity of European unity in the event that such a deal were to materialize. Following the discussions with Trump, a coalition of countries dubbed the "coalition of the willing," aimed at strategizing support for Ukraine in case of a ceasefire, was also scheduled to convene online.
Amidst growing pressures on the battlefield, a recent Gallup poll indicated that 69% of Ukrainians are in favor of negotiating an end to the war as soon as possible. However, the same polls suggest a strong sentiment against achieving peace at any cost, especially if it involves significant concessions. Ahead of the critical calls, Zelenskiy articulated that any agreement requiring Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the eastern Donbas region—a territory largely occupied by Russia—would be unacceptable. He warned that such a move would dismantle Ukraine's defensive capabilities, potentially facilitating further Russian advances.
Zelenskiy asserted that discussions about territorial issues should only commence after a ceasefire is established and Ukraine receives adequate security guarantees. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexei Fadeev reiterated that Moscow's position remains unchanged since Putin outlined it in June 2024, demanding Ukraine’s military withdrawal from four claimed regions and a formal renouncement of NATO ambitions as preconditions for a ceasefire. Kyiv has firmly rejected these terms, viewing them as tantamount to surrender.
This ongoing situation underscores the complexities surrounding Ukraine's security and the delicate balance of international diplomacy as the U.S. and Russia prepare for their pivotal discussions in Alaska.
