Discussion: EU Conferences Amid Anxiety over Trump-Putin Encounter Potentially Disregarding Ukraine; Pre-summit Dialogues Happening Prior to US-Russia Leaders' Gathering in Alaska on 28th May
In the lead-up to a highly anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, European foreign ministers have gathered for emergency talks. The gathering comes as European leaders express deep concern over the potential implications of the summit for Ukraine's sovereignty and Europe's security interests.
The source of their anxiety is manifold. Firstly, the exclusion of Ukraine and European allies from the summit deepens the marginalization of Europe in vital security discussions related to their own region. Secondly, Trump's suggestion that resolving the conflict is up to Ukraine and his indication that he may delay imposing tough sanctions on Russia heightens risks for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and NATO’s strategic posture in Eastern Europe.
Putin, meanwhile, used the opportunity to reiterate his narrative that the war stems from Ukraine’s independent Western integration, which threatens Russian influence in Eastern Europe. The potential weakening of sanctions poses a risk of emboldening Russia, potentially undermining Ukraine's defense and territorial integrity.
Following the meeting, tension was evident when Trump hosted Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and seven European leaders. European figures sought to counterbalance the Alaska summit's implications and push for coordinated security guarantees for Ukraine. However, experts note that the outcome revealed deep disagreements about the conflict’s framing—while Trump seems to treat negotiations as a geopolitical "real estate deal," Putin's agenda is more expansive, aiming to challenge Ukraine's very sovereignty.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer supports Trump's efforts to end the war with Ukraine, as long as the terms for ending the war are not dictated. Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Britain, Finland, and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen have also stated that the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has expressed fears and hope regarding the effects of the meeting between Trump and Putin. The US has pledged to consult with Europe ahead of the summit. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has invited Trump, Zelenskyy, NATO secretary general, and several European leaders to a virtual meeting on Wednesday.
The EU has demanded that Kyiv and European powers should be part of any deal regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Ukraine claims to have hit a facility that produces missile components in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region. Russia's air defence units destroyed a total of 59 Ukrainian drones overnight, including over the Tula region and the Crimean Peninsula.
Trump stated that his meeting with Putin will be a "feel-out meeting" aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump is reportedly open to inviting Zelenskyy to Alaska, but there has been no confirmation as yet. Zelenskyy insists he will never consent to any Russian annexation of Ukrainian territory.
In response to these developments, European leaders have underscored their commitment to the idea that international borders cannot be changed by force. They remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and are working diligently to ensure that their voices are heard in the ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Russia.
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