Preparing for the Alaska Summit: Protecting European Security Interests
Ahead of the August 2025 Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Europe and Ukraine primarily advocated for a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war without Ukraine ceding territory. They emphasized the importance of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity as key principles for any peace talks.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, advocated for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Europe. Robust security guarantees for Kyiv and the defensive capability of the Ukrainian armed forces were necessary, according to Macron. Negotiations should be part of a joint transatlantic strategy, he added.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz also expressed hope for progress and peace in Ukraine at the summit. He emphasized that a ceasefire must occur before any negotiations or follow-up meetings. Merz invited Zelensky to a telephone conference with Trump in Berlin as a show of support for Ukraine.
Ukraine is ready for negotiations on territorial questions, with the contact line as the starting point. However, the legal recognition of Russian occupations is not up for debate. Zelensky has stated that any discussions concerning territorial integrity of Ukraine must include the state, people, and constitution of Ukraine.
Europeans remained cautious about Putin’s commitments, given ongoing war crimes allegations and distrust toward Russia’s willingness to negotiate in good faith. They advocated for sustained sanctions and diplomatic isolation of Russia until it ceases hostilities and withdraws from occupied Ukrainian regions.
The United Nations has recorded a record number of civilian casualties in Ukraine in July, with 286 deaths and 1,388 injuries. Russian troops have advanced in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, causing further concern.
In sum, Europeans and Ukraine advocated for peace talks that preserve Ukrainian sovereignty without territorial concessions, maintain robust sanctions and pressure on Russia, and remain wary of Russian intentions ahead of and following the Alaska summit. The summit will address all outstanding issues, including the Ukraine conflict and obstacles hindering dialogue between the two countries.
However, Trump subsequently suggested Ukraine should bear more responsibility for potential territorial compromises to end the war, a stance at odds with European and Ukrainian demands. This contrast underscored the divide between the U.S. approach under Trump and the priorities of Europe and Ukraine regarding peace talks.
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