European Leaders to Hold Online Ukraine Summit Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting

European leaders are set to hold online talks with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, seeking to persuade him to respect Ukraine’s interests ahead of his scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as French, British, and other European leaders, alongside the heads of the EU and NATO, to participate in an afternoon video conference.

A second round of the conference call is expected to include Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, following the initial session with European leaders.

The Trump-Putin summit, their first since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over three years ago, is planned to proceed without Zelensky’s participation, raising concerns in Kyiv over potential painful concessions, including territorial compromises.

European Position

On Tuesday, EU leaders emphasised:

• Ukraine’s inherent right to determine its own destiny.
• International borders must not be changed by force.

Zelensky, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, ruled out withdrawing troops from the Donbas region, which Moscow claims as its own.

Merz’s office stated that the video conference would discuss:

• Further options to exert pressure on Russia
• Preparation for possible peace negotiations
• Related territorial claims and security issues

The conference is expected to include leaders from:

Following the online summit, Starmer, Macron, and Merz are also scheduled to hold a round of talks with the so-called Coalition of the Willing, comprising Ukraine’s military backers.

Challenges on the Ground

Trump, speaking on Monday, downplayed the prospect of a breakthrough in Alaska but indicated he anticipated “constructive conversations” with Putin.

“This is really a feel-out meeting a little bit,” Trump said at the White House, adding that eventually “there’ll be some swapping, there’ll be some changes in land.”

Russia has set out preconditions for a peace settlement, including:

• Kyiv pulling forces from regions claimed by Moscow
• Ukraine committing to neutrality
• Renouncing US and EU military support
• Exclusion from NATO membership

Ukraine has rejected any recognition of Russian control over its sovereign territory, stating that regaining occupied land would have to occur through diplomacy rather than the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Ukraine reported “difficult” battles against Russian forces, following rapid advances in a narrow but strategically important section of the eastern front.

Zelensky noted on social media: “We see that the Russian army is not preparing to end the war. On the contrary, they are making movements that indicate preparations for new offensive operations.”