Proposal for Trump, Putin, and Zelensky to meet in Europe, made by Germany.
The latest updates indicate that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is organizing a virtual three-way summit involving himself, US President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, along with other European leaders and NATO officials. This meeting aims to coordinate strategies on how to exert further pressure on Russia regarding the Ukraine war and discuss possible peace negotiations, territorial claims, and security issues.
The talks are expected to be "variously composed roundtable discussions," starting with European leaders, Zelensky, and EU and NATO heads, followed by a joint call including Trump and his deputy. This format underscores the complexity and broad involvement in the talks.
The main agenda for the summit is to maintain Ukrainian territorial integrity, with German officials stressing that borders should not be changed by force. Among the challenges highlighted is a policy divergence between Merz and Trump, mainly regarding a ceasefire before peace negotiations. Merz has pushed for a ceasefire as a precondition for serious talks, while Trump has rejected this notion, favoring negotiations without prior ceasefire. This disagreement reflects broader divisions among Western allies over how to approach the conflict resolution process.
The initial summit calls are virtual, with no clear on-site meeting announced yet. The subsequent key related meeting is the US-Russia summit in Anchorage, Alaska, set for August 15, 2025, which heightens the urgency and timing of the Europe-US-Ukraine discussions.
The proposed location for the meeting is yet to be determined. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is friendly with both Trump and Putin, has not been mentioned as a potential location for the summit. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has not clarified the details of the date or location for the proposed three-way meeting.
Trump has expressed interest in another summit, this time including Zelensky, focusing on securing a full peace agreement in Ukraine. Merz did not specify any countries or individuals besides Trump and Zelensky that would be involved in the proposed three-way meeting.
These coordinated talks illustrate ongoing complex diplomatic efforts to manage the Ukraine conflict and prepare for negotiations involving Russia. The summit is scheduled for mid-August 2025, specifically around August 13-14, ahead of a planned US-Russia summit in Alaska between Trump and Putin. The ICC arrest warrant against Putin for alleged mass abduction of Ukrainian children during the war remains a potential obstacle for his visit to Europe.
[1] The Guardian. (2025, July 28). Germany to host virtual summit on Ukraine with Trump and Zelensky. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/germany-to-host-virtual-summit-on-ukraine-with-trump-and-zelensky
[2] Reuters. (2025, July 29). Merz and Trump disagree on ceasefire before Ukraine peace talks. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/merz-trump-disagree-ceasefire-before-ukraine-peace-talks-2025-07-29/
[3] CNN. (2025, July 30). Trump, Merz, and Zelensky to discuss Ukraine at virtual summit. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/world/europe/trump-merz-zelensky-ukraine-virtual-summit-2025-07-30/
[4] BBC News. (2025, July 31). Merz: Virtual summit on Ukraine to discuss peace negotiations. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59073422
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