Ahead of a highly anticipated summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump has engaged in a crucial series of consultations with Ukraine and its key European allies. These virtual meetings were organized to present a united front and influence Trump’s approach to the negotiations, which are seen as a potential turning point in the war.
Following the calls, European leaders expressed cautious optimism. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the positions of the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe were “very much in agreement,” at least on most points. This follows a period of concern among allies over Trump’s unpredictability and previous suggestions of “land swapping” to end the conflict.
The main points of the unified message from Ukraine and its allies were clear and consistent:
- Ukrainian Participation: Any discussions about Ukraine’s future must include Ukraine at the negotiation table.
- Ceasefire First: A ceasefire is the essential starting point for any peace talks.
- European Security: The security of Europe must be upheld in any agreement.
- Future Guarantees: Ukraine must receive credible and robust security guarantees to prevent future aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who joined the virtual meetings, also delivered a stark warning. He urged Trump to apply “maximum pressure” on Putin, expressing his belief that Moscow’s ultimate goal is the total occupation of Ukraine. Zelenskyy reiterated that Putin is “bluffing” about his true intentions and that sanctions are, in fact, hitting the Russian economy hard.
While Trump’s team has described the Anchorage summit as a “listening exercise” to “feel out” Putin’s intentions, the careful planning of the preceding calls highlights the high stakes. European and Ukrainian leaders seized what may have been their last opportunity to lay down their red lines and shape the American president’s strategy before his face-to-face meeting with Putin. The hope is that if Trump sticks to the script crafted in these discussions, a ceasefire in Ukraine may become a viable possibility. However, the international community remains acutely aware that the president’s unpredictability could once again upend expectations.
