EU Holds Urgent Talks Before Trump-Putin Summit
EU foreign ministers convened in an emergency meeting to influence upcoming U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine, amid concerns that Kyiv could be sidelined in potential peace negotiations.
The emergency session brought together EU foreign ministers and Ukraine’s top diplomat, Andrii Sybiha, via videoconference to discuss strategy before Friday’s meeting in Alaska between Trump and Putin. According to Trump, the leaders may discuss “territorial exchanges” as part of a possible settlement to end the war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives in over three years of fighting.
EU officials reiterated their demand for Ukraine’s participation, warning that sidelining Kyiv would undermine prospects for lasting peace. The call followed a weekend of intensive diplomacy, including a security meeting in the UK attended by European and U.S. officials alongside U.S. Vice President JD Vance, as well as numerous calls between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
Ukraine And Russia Intensify Diplomatic Outreach
In the days leading up to the summit, Zelensky held talks with 13 European leaders and the presidents of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. He emphasized that Ukraine maintains constant communication with the United States to pursue “true peace,” accusing Russia of attempting to mislead Washington.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, spoke with nine heads of state or government, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Trump, who pledged to resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of returning to the White House, has moved closer to Putin in recent months, but has also voiced frustration over intensified Russian bombardments.