In advance of the Trump-Putin meeting: Europe seeks Trump's attention and a cessation of hostilities
In the recent talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, European leaders have expressed their concerns and demands to prevent territorial losses for Ukraine.
The European position revolves around preserving Ukrainian sovereignty and security without forcing territorial concessions unless Ukraine agrees. The leaders support ending the war in a way that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty, provides security guarantees (including potential US involvement), and allows Ukraine to join international organizations such as the EU and NATO [1][3].
In stark contrast, Putin’s demands, brought up in the same talks, include Ukraine ceding full control of the Donbas region, renouncing NATO ambitions, remaining neutral, and barring Western troops on its territory. Putin also insists on Ukraine withdrawing from the remaining Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donbas, while Moscow would freeze current front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson [2].
European leaders, meeting with Trump after the Alaska summit, emphasized no pressure on Ukraine to give up territory, insisting that such decisions rest with Ukraine and Putin. Any peace deal, they stressed, must not come at the cost of Ukrainian territorial integrity unless Ukraine consents. The key to durable peace, according to them, is security guarantees backed by the US and European partners, potentially including boots on the ground to stabilize the situation after the war [1][3].
It is expected that Ukraine will have to cede some territories occupied by Russia, although this is not openly stated by European politicians. Ukraine must be at the negotiating table, and Russia should not have a veto. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, however, implied that Ukraine has lost the war, suggesting that Russia has won.
The Europeans consider it a success that they were heard by the US leadership, but it does not guarantee that Trump will consider their demands regarding Ukraine. Sanctions against Russia are considered important and effective by Ukraine's President Volodimir Selenskij. Europe aims to prevent Trump from striking a deal with the Kremlin chief over the heads of the Ukrainians and Europeans at their meeting.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a video conference with the most important European allies to discuss their position on supporting Ukraine's President Selenskij. Selenskij, in turn, stated that he would adhere to the Ukrainian constitution, which prevents him from considering withdrawing from occupied territories.
In summary, the European demands focus on Ukraine’s sovereignty and security with US-EU-backed guarantees, opposing territorial losses unless Ukraine agrees, while Putin demands specific territorial concessions and neutrality as preconditions for peace [1][2][3]. The negotiations between Trump and Putin continue to be a topic of concern and interest for European leaders as they strive to ensure Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
| Aspect | European Position | Putin’s Demands | |-----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Territorial Integrity | No forced territorial concessions; sovereignty must be preserved[1][3] | Ukraine cedes Donbas, freezes front lines in other regions[2] | | NATO/Neutrality | Ukraine free to choose membership in NATO/EU[1] | Ukraine must renounce NATO ambitions, remain neutral[2] | | Security Guarantees | Require U.S. involvement and guarantees to secure peace[1] | No explicit offering of security guarantees to Ukraine reported | | Troop Presence | Willing to provide boots on the ground after peace with guarantees[1] | No Western troops allowed in Ukraine[2] |
The European position in the negotiations regards maintaining Ukraine's territorial integrity, supporting various international organizations such as the EU and NATO, and securing peace with US-EU backing, including potential troop presence, only with Ukraine's agreement to any territorial concessions. On the other hand, Putin demands that Ukraine cede control of the Donbas region, renounce NATO ambitions, remain neutral, and prohibit Western troops on their territory, including territorial concessions in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
