"Zelenskyy conveys to Trump that Putin is deceiving, as European leaders advocate for a Ukraine truce"
Headline: European Leaders and Ukrainian President Express Concern Over Exclusion from Alaska Summit
In the ongoing discussions surrounding the future of Ukraine, European leaders and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have expressed concern and frustration over being excluded from the recent Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit, which took place on Friday, discussed issues related to Ukraine's future without their participation.
European leaders feel marginalized since their calls for Ukrainian involvement in talks were ignored. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that they are trying to steer the Alaska meeting "in the right direction," with a focus on a ceasefire followed by a framework agreement.
Zelenskyy, meanwhile, is reportedly trying to arrange a direct meeting with Putin, initiated or supported by Trump following the summit. However, Russian officials have stated that no meeting is currently planned until a concrete agenda is prepared, reflecting ongoing diplomatic challenges.
Trump's stance indicates he is weighing the possibility of either imposing or easing sanctions on Russia, signaling uncertainty about the U.S. approach. He expressed unhappiness about the conflict but left open the outcome of future decisions, hinting that over the next weeks he would decide whether to maintain pressure on Russia or adopt a different stance.
In a virtual summit with the leaders of Ukraine and Germany, Zelenskyy reiterated his push for a ceasefire to be prioritized in the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin. He stated that Trump agreed with the priority of a ceasefire during a call with Trump and European leaders.
The leaders of Ukraine and Germany held the virtual summit to remind the world of Ukraine's diplomatic principle: "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine." However, no new information was provided about the EU signing a €500 million loan to safeguard Ukraine's energy security ahead of winter.
Trump suggested the second meeting could be either bilateral or trilateral, depending on the preferences of Putin and Zelenskyy. The next steps and the possibility of the second meeting will be discussed with Trump immediately after his talks with Putin.
Despite the ongoing concerns, Zelenskyy continues to push for a direct meeting with Putin to negotiate a ceasefire and find a resolution to the ongoing conflict. The outcome of the Alaska summit and any potential meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin will have significant implications for the future of Ukraine and the broader region.
[1] European leaders and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy express concern over being excluded from the Alaska summit. (Source: BBC News)
[2] Trump's stance on Ukraine: hands-off approach, but keeping U.S. policy options open. (Source: The Guardian)
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