Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Berlin for a switch prior to the Alaska summit.
The European Union and the United States are working together to establish a united front in their discussions with President Trump regarding Ukraine and Russia. The primary objective is to secure a peaceful resolution while safeguarding Ukraine's security and territorial integrity.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join a virtual conference call with US President Donald Trump at 2:00 PM. The discussion will focus on follow-up consultations with Trump, with participants including heads of state and government from France, the UK, Italy, Poland, Finland, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Zelenskyy himself.
The European Union aims to ensure strong security guarantees for Ukraine, coordinated international efforts to pressure Russia, and consideration of concessions or territorial exchanges as part of a negotiated resolution. However, Zelenskyy has made it clear that he does not intend to give up Ukraine's territories in the east.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized that the USA does not want to continue paying for the Ukrainian defensive struggle. Yet, it is likely that he will depend on Europeans for financing Ukraine's future defense against Russia and securing a possible ceasefire or peace.
German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius stated that the talks should focus on further options to put pressure on Moscow and discuss preparations for possible peace negotiations. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has also rejected speculation about territorial concessions by Ukraine for peace with Russia.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for security guarantees for Ukraine, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that Ukraine has lost the war against Russia and Russia has won the war. This divisive statement contradicts the broader EU stance, which seeks to maintain European stability and assert influence over how diplomatic negotiations proceed.
Trump has presented the planned meeting with Putin as an attempt to move closer to an end to the Russian invasion. A bilateral meeting between Trump and Putin is planned for Friday, but Zelenskyy has not been invited to the Alaska summit yet. Trump has suggested a possible meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin after the summit.
Zelenskyy has warned that the Donbass could serve as a springboard for Russia to launch a new war. If Ukraine were to abandon its positions in the Donbass, Putin's troops could later advance towards Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro. It is crucial that any negotiations result in a sustainable peace that protects Ukraine's sovereignty.
After the meeting with Zelenskyy, Merz will make joint public statements with the Ukrainian President regarding the consultations at 4:00 PM. The European Union and the United States remain committed to working together to secure a peaceful resolution for Ukraine.
[1] European Council (2021). Joint statement on the EU-US summit. [online] Available at: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/06/15/joint-statement-on-the-eu-us-summit/
[2] European Commission (2021). EU-US Leaders' Meeting: Joint Statement. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/11_eu-us_leaders_meeting_joint_statement_en.pdf
The discussion between leaders at the virtual conference call will include strategies for policy-and-legislation and war-and-conflicts regarding Ukraine's security. The European Union, United States, and other participating nations aim to establish united fronts and coordinate international efforts to safeguard Ukraine's territorial integrity and seek a peaceful resolution.
General-news outlets report that some world leaders have differing opinions on the potential for territorial concessions by Ukraine, with some advocating for peace while others expressing concern about loss of sovereignty. Despite these differences, the primary objective remains a stable and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
