One step away from Trump-Putin meeting: Ukraine, Europe, and US align positions

Key questions

• 5 conditions for ending the war: what Ukraine, the US, and the EU have agreed on

• The sides’ positions on territorial issues

• What leaders said about a ceasefire and security guarantees

• Will there be a trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin?

Five common principles for ending the war

On the eve of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leaders of key European states, and representatives of the EU and NATO leadership held a video conference with the American leader.

The goal was to coordinate positions and discuss expectations for the summit. Following the conversation, five common principles were agreed upon. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that these principles would define the format of the negotiations.

"Everything concerning Ukraine must be discussed exclusively with Ukraine. We need to prepare a trilateral negotiation format," Zelenskyy said, emphasizing Kyiv’s key role in any peace process.

Among other agreed points:

• An immediate ceasefire and reliable security guarantees for Ukraine

• No Russian veto over Ukraine’s prospects in the EU and NATO

• Maintaining and strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, following the online conference, said the discussion was "very good" and helped to strengthen the united position of Europe, the US, and NATO on Ukraine. She stressed that everyone seeks a "just and lasting peace."

For his part, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that the ball is now in Putin’s court.

"We are united in pressing to end this terrible war and achieve a just and lasting peace," Rutte said, adding that he values US President Donald Trump’s leadership and close coordination with allies.

US President Donald Trump, in his statement, rated his conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies "as a 10."

Territorial issues

The question of possible territorial concessions in Russia’s war against Ukraine has remained a subject of active discussion over the past week.

According to Axios, during today’s video conference, US President Donald Trump expressed the view that a "land swap" would be a necessary part of a peace agreement. However, he stressed that he could not make decisions on this matter, and that it should be discussed by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia — "Volodymyr and Vladimir."

Ukraine’s position on potential territorial concessions remains unchanged. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to emphasize that any issues of territorial integrity can only be resolved with the consent of the Ukrainian people and in accordance with the Constitution.

"The key issues regarding our territorial integrity will ultimately be decided at the level of the leaders. Without Ukraine, it’s impossible to resolve — everyone supports this," Zelenskyy added.

European leaders voiced a similar stance. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that Russia cannot demand that Ukraine amend its Constitution on territorial matters.

At the same time, Merz said that Ukraine is ready to discuss territorial issues only if "the starting point will be the line of contact." He also firmly stated that "legal recognition of occupied territories is not up for discussion."

French President Emmanuel Macron also supported this view.

"Territorial issues that fall under Ukraine's jurisdiction will be negotiated only by the Ukrainian president. This is the position we support. President Trump expressed it very clearly," Macron said.

Ceasefire and sanctions

US President Donald Trump named a truce as his goal for the meeting with Putin.

However, when asked whether he believed he could persuade the Kremlin leader to stop attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure, Trump could not give an affirmative answer.

The US leader said he thought the answer was probably "no" because he had already had wonderful conversations with Putin, but then he would return home and see a missile hit a building with "people lying there, dying."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers an immediate ceasefire the central topic of the negotiations, but also stresses the importance of maintaining pressure on the Kremlin.

"Sanctions must remain and must be strengthened if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in Alaska," the president emphasized.

Zelenskyy also warned partners about "Putin’s bluff," saying the Kremlin is trying to create the impression that sanctions have no effect, even though they are causing significant damage to the Russian economy.

The Ukrainian head of state stressed that Russia does not seek peace, but rather the occupation of Ukraine, and called for continued pressure in pursuit of peace.

Security guarantees

The issue of security guarantees for Ukraine was one of the key topics discussed ahead of the summit.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the meeting resulted in an agreement on the need for "reliable security guarantees," and that Donald Trump expressed his support for this idea and the readiness of the US to take part.

"There must be truly reliable security guarantees. Today, by the way, President Trump spoke about supporting this and about America’s readiness to participate," Zelenskyy noted.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that Ukraine must have a strong army but pointed out that the issue of security guarantees was not discussed in detail.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said the leaders had reached a shared understanding that NATO should not be the sole security guarantee.

Macron also stated that Donald Trump opposed NATO being part of Ukraine’s security guarantees. The French president expressed the view that there should be a direct link between any potential territorial concessions by Ukraine and security guarantees.

"President Trump made this clear in exactly these words. He even said things that are very important for me: the fact that NATO should not be part of these security guarantees, and we know this is a strong argument, especially for the Russian side. But that the United States and all allies should be part of them. This is a very important clarification for me," Macron said.

Preparations for a meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Putin

The leaders agreed that after his talks with Putin in Alaska, Trump would first contact Zelenskyy to discuss the outcome and determine joint next steps, and then speak with the heads of European states.

The White House leader also said that if his talks with the Kremlin leader are successful, a trilateral meeting involving the president of Ukraine could take place shortly thereafter.

"If the first one (meeting - ed.) goes okay, we'll have a quick second one. I would like to do it almost immediately, and we'll have a quick second meeting between President Putin and President Zelenskyy, and myself, if they'd like to have me there," Trump said.

According to Reuters, during today’s video conference, Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders discussed possible locations for the meeting with Putin. Options included European and Middle Eastern countries.

At the same time, the US president added that there might be no second meeting if in Alaska "he doesn’t hear the answers." Trump also threatened serious consequences if Putin refuses to stop the war.

In addition, the White House leader criticized the media, which he believes publishes negative coverage of his upcoming meeting with Putin. In a post on Truth Social, he called his critics "fired losers" and claimed that the US is “winning on everything.”

RBC-Ukraine has compiled everything currently known about the planned meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska on August 15.

Expectations for the meeting are covered in the Alaska summit raises alarm over possible US concessions to Russia. What's at stake for Ukraine material.

Sources: materials from Reuters, Axios, The New York Times, statements by Donald Trump, and press conferences by Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Friedrich Merz.