EU leaders plan talks with Trump ahead of his meeting with Putin - WSJ
Photo: US president Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (RBC-Ukraine collage)
European leaders fear that US President Donald Trump may strike a deal with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, which is why they want to meet with Trump before the US-Russia summit, according to The Wall Street Journal.
According to the outlet, the purpose of the meeting is to reaffirm that Europe and Ukraine may not accept a ceasefire agreement. In addition, European politicians want to persuade Trump to increase pressure on Putin if he does not negotiate in good faith.
The article notes that European leaders insist the first point of any peace agreement should be a requirement for Russia to cease fire. The second point would be mutual territorial exchanges based on current front lines. The third key condition is granting Ukraine long-term security guarantees.
European officials also want to convince Trump to allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European heads of government to join the meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15.
At the same time, the outlet recalled comments from US Vice President JD Vance, who said Zelenskyy would not attend the first meeting with Putin. US officials plan to include the Ukrainian leader in the next summit with Putin and Trump.
One official told the outlet that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had insisted Zelenskyy take part in the Alaska meeting. However, Trump believes inviting Zelenskyy at an early stage could derail his efforts.
Trump-Putin meeting
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is scheduled for Friday, August 15.
Trump wants to ask Putin to end the war. According to the US leader, a positive outcome of such a meeting could be a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump has said Zelenskyy’s participation in such a summit is not planned. The US leader wants Putin and Zelenskyy to meet at a later date.
