EU Leaders Seek Talks with Trump Before His Meeting with Putin in Alaska
In a tense diplomatic atmosphere, as the scheduled meeting between U.S.
President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin approaches, European leaders and high-ranking officials are actively seeking opportunities for critical diplomatic consultations.
According to Bloomberg, citing sources within diplomatic circles, negotiations with Trump are expected to take place before his summit with Putin, scheduled for Friday, August 15, in Alaska.
The main goal of these discussions is to gain a clearer understanding of the U.S.
president’s stance on Ukraine and to coordinate further diplomatic steps in terms of international security.The report notes that this diplomatic activity is a response to a series of contacts between U.S., Ukrainian, and EU representatives, as well as preparations for upcoming negotiations.
On Monday, Ukraine’s foreign minister and other diplomats planned an online meeting to discuss the situation.
Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Moscow demanded Kyiv surrender control over the occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea as a condition for a ceasefire and long-term negotiations.
This would mean Ukraine giving up parts of its territory controlled by Kyiv’s forces.In the context of U.S.-Ukraine relations, a key issue remains the cessation of military funding.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg noted that territorial questions should be part of the negotiations along with security guarantees.
He indicated that Kyiv might recognize de facto loss of control over certain regions without an official renunciation of sovereignty, thus preserving diplomatic dialogue.Ukraine and its European allies insist on initiating a ceasefire that would freeze current frontline positions as a basis for long-term negotiations, along with maintaining economic sanctions on Russia to increase external pressure and facilitate peaceful resolutions.Amid these diplomatic efforts, skepticism remains about Ukraine’s potential to join Trump and Putin’s summit in Alaska.
Sources within the EU report that Washington actively coordinates its position with European nations and seeks to intensify diplomatic pressure on Moscow.
Possible proposals include halting Russian advances in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
However, it remains uncertain whether Russia will agree to relinquish control over strategic territories, including Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia.Moreover, Putin’s proposal for a partial ceasefire in air and sea conflicts ahead of the summit has received media coverage.
Yet, Western policymakers emphasize that negotiations must safeguard Ukraine’s interests and security guarantees, as ignoring these considerations risks further escalation.
Similar views are expressed in joint statements by Nordic and Baltic leaders, who stress that any peace initiatives ignoring Kyiv’s stance are unacceptable and threaten the stability and security of Europe.