European capitals have mounted an intensive diplomatic push to influence Donald Trump’s approach to Russia before his high-profile Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin. On Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened a virtual meeting of European leaders with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, followed by Trump’s participation. The coordinated effort aimed to ensure Ukraine’s direct involvement in any territorial negotiations and to secure a commitment that a ceasefire would be the starting point for talks.

Unified message to Trump

French President Emmanuel Macron emerged from the call saying Trump was “very clear” that Ukraine should sit at the negotiating table. Trump also told leaders he would seek a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelensky after Alaska, calling the European conversation “a 10” and “very, very friendly.” Yet, he cautioned that the upcoming summit would primarily “set the table” for more substantive follow-up talks.

Merz described the exchange as “constructive,” reiterating Europe’s red lines: Ukraine must be present at the table, and any negotiations must begin with a ceasefire. However, he declined to say whether Trump had agreed to additional European conditions such as security guarantees for Kyiv.

Kyiv’s ‘moment of maximum pressure’

The diplomatic maneuvering comes as Zelensky faces what the Financial Times has called his “moment of maximum pressure”. Domestically, he is grappling with political fallout from a failed attempt to curb anti-corruption agencies, which triggered a fierce backlash. Militarily, Ukraine is contending with battlefield setbacks, losing ground in the east while holding a tenuous foothold in Russia’s Kursk region.

The unease in Kyiv has deepened since Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Putin in Moscow last week. Officials briefed on the talks say Moscow’s proposals include demands for Ukraine to surrender territory it still controls as a precondition for a ceasefire—terms Kyiv and its European allies reject outright. Zelensky told Trump during the Berlin segment of the call that Putin’s posture is a “bluff” designed to suggest Russia can conquer all of Ukraine to gain leverage in talks.

European concerns over land swaps

European leaders have pushed back against any “land swap” arrangement, arguing it would reward aggression and undermine international law. An EU counterproposal discussed privately would require that any Ukrainian pullback from its own territory be matched inch-for-inch by Russian withdrawals from occupied land. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has suggested that de facto Russian control over some areas might be acknowledged in a settlement, but Kyiv and several allies warn this could solidify Russian advances without providing enforceable security guarantees.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has cautioned against a “fragile ceasefire” that leaves one-fifth of Ukraine under Russian control. For Kyiv, the notion of trading territory is politically toxic, given the heavy sacrifices of its armed forces and population over nearly three years of war.

Limited European leverage

While Europe is Ukraine’s primary military and financial backer, its leaders will not be in Alaska and can only try to influence Washington from the sidelines. They retain some leverage through control over frozen Russian assets, ongoing sanctions, and the supply of arms and training. However, as former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt noted, their main power lies in ensuring that Western weapons flows continue—something Putin is expected to seek to halt in any talks.

Camille Grand, a former NATO official, described the European role as limited: “They can at best hope to influence the American position or to support Ukraine.”

Outlook for Alaska

Despite the diplomatic push, uncertainty remains over whether Putin is willing to make concessions at all. The Alaska meeting is expected to clarify the extent of Russia’s flexibility and whether a second, more substantive round of talks—with Ukraine at the table—can be arranged. As Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk put it earlier this week: “I have many fears and a lot of hope.”