Europe and Ukraine to Brief Trump Before Putin Meeting
European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hold a virtual meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance today. The discussion comes ahead of Trump’s scheduled summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin this Friday in Alaska.
Unified Push to Defend Ukraine’s Interests
The talks are expected to focus on ensuring Ukraine’s security and sovereignty remain central to any potential negotiations with Russia. European and Ukrainian leaders are likely to stress that any ceasefire or settlement must not compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity or exclude Kyiv from decision-making.
Who’s Joining
The meeting will include German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Zelenskyy will join the host in Berlin, signaling a unified approach ahead of the Putin talks.
Stakes of the Outcome
With tensions high and uncertainty over the direction of U.S.–Russia dialogue, European leaders want to ensure their positions are clearly conveyed before the Alaska summit. The call underscores a coordinated transatlantic effort to present a united front and prevent decisions that could undermine Ukraine’s position in the conflict.
