Ukraine Urges Unity Ahead of Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has travelled to Berlin for a German-hosted virtual meeting with Donald Trump and European leaders, just two days before the highly anticipated Trump-Putin Alaska Summit. The meeting aims to safeguard Ukraine’s interests amid fears of a potential deal unfavourable to Kyiv.
Europe’s leaders are warning against any agreement that could compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty. Trump has described the upcoming Alaska talks as a “feel-out” meeting, suggesting possible “territorial swaps” — remarks that have unsettled both Kyiv and European capitals.
Zelenskiy is set to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz before joining a video conference with leaders from Germany, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and the European Union. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will also take part. Trump and Vice President JD Vance are scheduled to join the call later in the afternoon.
Concerns Over a Risky Deal
European officials fear the summit could result in far-reaching decisions made without Ukraine’s participation. They emphasise that nearly 20% of Ukraine remains under Russian occupation and that no agreement should be reached without Kyiv’s consent.
A senior Eastern European official stressed the importance of preventing any such outcome, saying efforts are ongoing to maintain coordination between the U.S. and European allies.
The White House has tempered expectations, calling the Alaska meeting a “listening exercise” to explore what would be needed for a ceasefire. Despite earlier frustration with Moscow, Trump agreed to the summit after claiming “great progress” had been made by his envoy in recent talks.
Ukraine’s Firm Stance
Polling shows that while a majority of Ukrainians want an end to the war, they are unwilling to accept “peace at any cost.” Zelenskiy has firmly rejected any proposal requiring Ukraine to withdraw troops from the Donbas region, warning it would weaken the country’s defences and open the door for further Russian advances.
He reiterated that territorial issues could only be discussed after a ceasefire and with solid security guarantees in place. Meanwhile, Russian forces have intensified operations, tightening control over key eastern cities, including Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka.
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