Diplomats from Europe prepare for the Alaska Summit, aiming to protect their security concerns - Approaching the Alaska Summit, Europe focuses on securing strategic interests
In the coming days, the world's attention will be focused on the Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, scheduled to take place in Anchorage, is set to address a myriad of bilateral issues, with the Ukraine conflict at the forefront.
Recent developments in Ukraine have raised concerns among Europeans and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Almost 40% of the casualties in Ukraine have been attributed to Russian drone and missile strikes on targets in the country's hinterland, including major cities like Kyiv, Dnipro, and Kharkiv. The United Nations recorded 286 deaths and 1,388 injuries in Ukraine in July, representing a 22.5% increase from the same period last year.
Europeans are urging Trump to address Ukraine's security interests at the summit. Key points include ensuring a durable peace that guarantees Ukraine's stability and sovereignty. Specifically, they want Trump to press Putin on acknowledging and addressing Ukraine's legitimate security concerns, supporting the stationing of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, avoiding concessions that ignore Ukraine’s sovereignty, and ensuring any ceasefire or peace arrangement does not reflect territorial concessions to Russia.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who recently spoke with Zelensky about the summit, emphasized that negotiations on Ukraine should proceed in the correct order, with a ceasefire as the first step and a framework agreement to follow. Merz also invited Zelensky to a telephone conference with Trump in Berlin.
However, there are fears that Trump and Putin could agree on territorial concessions by Ukraine to Russia at the summit. Zelensky stated that his country's constitution does not allow territorial concessions, and France's Head of State Emmanuel Macron advocated for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky in Europe in a neutral country.
Despite the concerns, Merz expressed hope for progress and peace in Ukraine at the summit. Russia aims to discuss bilateral issues in Alaska, including the Ukraine conflict and obstacles hindering normal dialogue between the two countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow stated that the summit in Alaska will address all outstanding issues.
Ukraine is ready to negotiate on territorial questions, but the contact line (front line) should be the starting point, and the recognition of Russian occupations is not up for debate. Robust security guarantees for Kyiv and the defensive capability of the Ukrainian armed forces are necessary. The peace talks may include a ceasefire and security guarantees.
As the world watches, the Alaska summit promises to be a critical moment in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The outcome could shape the future of Ukraine and the relationship between the US and Russia for years to come.
- The Commission, in the midst of discussions on the draft directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens, has also been consulted on the implications of the Alaska summit's outcome for policy-and-legislation regarding war-and-conflicts, particularly in relation to the Ukraine conflict.
- The general-news coverage surrounding the Alaska summit is not only focused on the bilateral issues between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but also extends to the political ramifications for Europe and Ukraine, considering the potential impact on policy-and-legislation and the stability of the region.
