Prior to the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting: Europe advocates for increased pressure on Russia and the engagement of Kiev - International Community Urges Increased Pressure on Russia before Trump-Putin Meeting, Advocating for Ukraine's Involvement
The upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday in the US state of Alaska, has sparked a wave of cautious solidarity from European leaders and Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been called upon to be involved in the summit, as both Europe and Ukraine express their unwavering support for Ukraine and emphasize the importance of involving Ukraine in all discussions about its future.
Kyiv, represented by President Zelensky, has engaged in prolonged discussions with Trump and European leaders, maintaining a commitment to peace efforts but warning that Putin must face consequences for prolonging the war. Ukraine’s foreign minister has echoed this stance, underscoring the need for pressure on Russia.
European leaders, including German politician Merz, have indicated readiness to cooperate with both Trump and Zelensky for future trilateral talks. However, they have reaffirmed that sanctions on Russia's war economy will continue to be strengthened until lasting peace is achieved.
Despite Trump’s pressure on Europe and Ukraine to negotiate with Russia and his threat to withdraw US military support, Europeans are wary of this direction, perceiving risk to their own security interests and critiquing the summit as a diplomatic win for Putin that lacks substantive benefit for Europe or Ukraine.
Maintaining and imposing restrictive measures against Russia is one way Europe and Ukraine plan to support Ukraine. Western government officials, including US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, gathered in the UK on Saturday to discuss the upcoming summit.
The fighting in Ukraine continued over the weekend, with over ten people killed in the regions of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson due to Russian attacks, and three people killed in Odessa due to a mine explosion.
Meanwhile, the Russian army reported the capture of a town in the Donetsk industrial and mining region on Saturday. Currently, the Russian army controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. However, the Ukrainian army reported a successful attack on an oil refinery in the Russian region of Saratov and the recapture of a village in the Sumy region.
Zelenskyy has also categorically rejected any territorial concessions to Moscow. Trump had previously claimed he could end the Ukraine war in 24 hours, but meaningful negotiations can only take place within the framework of a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities, according to the European supporters of Kyiv.
Trump mentioned the possibility of a "land swap" between Russia and Ukraine during the meeting, but stated that the details will be discussed later or tomorrow. Robust and credible security guarantees are necessary to enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty, a sentiment shared by these leaders. They have also pledged to continue providing military and financial aid to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has thanked the Europeans for their support and has insisted on his country's right to a say in any decisions regarding Ukraine. The principle that international borders cannot be changed by force remains valid, according to the heads of state and government.
[1] The Guardian [2] Reuters [3] BBC News
- The European Union has not only been engaged in the negotiations concerning Ukraine's accession to the EU, but they have also expressed their unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of including Ukraine in all discussions regarding its future, especially amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the region.
- Amidst the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, politics and general-news outlets such as The Guardian, Reuters, and BBC News continue to report on the complex relationship between Ukraine, the US, Russia, and the European Union, highlighting the delicate balance between diplomacy, peace efforts, and continued sanctions against Russia's war economy.
