EU Aims for Objective before Putin-Trump Encounter in Alaska, According to Politico
The much-anticipated meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, held in Alaska on August 15, 2025, did not include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite European calls for Ukraine's inclusion, both Zelensky and European allies were left on the sidelines, highlighting their marginalization in discussions about Europe's future.
Trump expressed his desire to eventually arrange a meeting between the leaders of the conflicting countries, but it was up to Zelensky "to get it done" along with European involvement, according to a Fox News interview [2]. The summit ended abruptly without a public ceasefire agreement or commitment from Putin to meet Zelensky, and no substantive progress was made on Ukraine-related issues [1].
The European Union (EU) Council of Foreign Ministers was developing a strategy to influence the outcome of the Alaska summit from afar. European leaders aimed to secure a seat for Zelensky at the talks, but their influence on the summit's outcome was limited [2]. The EU is challenged to influence US leverage and encourage more inclusive diplomacy, but as of the summit, their efforts seemed to fall short.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assumed Zelensky would participate in the planned meeting between Trump and Putin on August 15. However, this did not materialize [1]. Scholz and several other European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have expressed support for Zelensky's participation in the talks [2].
Trump plans to discuss "parameters" of a possible peace agreement during the meeting with Putin. He also stated that Zelensky could attend the Alaska meeting, but his participation is not planned [1]. Trump will participate in a phone call with Zelensky and European leaders two days before his meeting with Putin [1].
In the aftermath of the summit, European leaders remain concerned that the meeting may signal increased US-Russian bilateral decision-making at Europe's expense. Scholz stated that Europe cannot allow territorial issues on Ukraine to be discussed and decided "between Russia and America behind the backs of Europeans and Ukrainians" [2].
The EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, will hold a meeting of EU foreign ministers on August 11. However, no new major announcements are expected from this meeting [1]. Despite the lack of progress at the Alaska summit, the EU continues to advocate for a fair and inclusive approach to resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
References: [1] NBC News (2025). "Trump-Putin Summit Ends Without Breakthrough on Ukraine." [online] Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-putin-summit-ends-without-breakthrough-ukraine-n1296786
[2] The Guardian (2025). "Ukraine Excluded from Alaska Summit Between Putin and Trump." [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/16/ukraine-excluded-from-alaska-summit-between-putin-and-trump
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