KEY POINTS
- President Trump is holding virtual talks with Zelensky and European leaders to present a united front before his summit with Putin.
- Fears are growing that Ukraine could be pressured into a peace deal involving territorial concessions, which contradicts Kyiv’s stance.
- Intensified fighting in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s broader strategic alignments, including with North Korea, add to the complexity of the summit.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is holding last-minute virtual talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders today, a frantic diplomatic effort to shape his agenda ahead of a high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. The emergency conference comes amid growing fears in Kyiv and European capitals that Ukraine could be pressured into an unfavorable peace deal, as President Trump has publicly floated the idea of territorial concessions to end the war.
The virtual meeting, hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz with Zelensky participating in person from Berlin, represents a final push by allies to present a united front. Merz, who has prioritized building a strong relationship with President Trump, organized the call to ensure European and Ukrainian red lines are clearly communicated before the one-on-one meeting with Putin, from which Zelensky is excluded.
White House officials have sought to manage expectations for the Alaska summit, framing it as a “listening exercise” rather than a decisive negotiation. However, President Trump’s own suggestion that a peace deal would likely involve “land swapping” has set off alarm bells, directly contradicting Kyiv’s long-standing position that it will not cede sovereign territory.
Zelensky has repeatedly rejected any deal that involves surrendering land, warning it would only embolden Moscow. “This war must end,” he stated ahead of the talks. “We must learn from the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception on the part of Russia.”
Battlefield Pressures Mount Ahead of Summit
The diplomatic maneuvering is set against a backdrop of intensified fighting in eastern Ukraine, as Russian forces appear determined to seize as much territory as possible before talks begin. Ukrainian military officials reported that Russian troops are making a significant push toward the key logistics hub of Kupiansk and have infiltrated defenses in the eastern Donetsk region.
Ukrainian officials acknowledged that small groups of Russian troops have pierced their lines near the strategic city of Pokrovsk. While stressing that Russia has not seized control of new territory, the advances fuel a narrative that Moscow hopes to leverage at the negotiating table.
Zelensky warned that Russia is attempting to create a distorted perception “that Russia is moving forward, advancing, and Ukraine is losing” to strengthen Putin’s hand. He added that Ukrainian intelligence indicates Russia is preparing for a major new offensive operation expected by September.
Moscow’s Global Maneuvers
The Kremlin confirmed that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will accompany Putin to Alaska, stating it hopes the meeting can address the “Ukrainian crisis” and begin to normalize US-Russia relations. In a sign of its broader strategic alignments, Moscow also revealed that Putin discussed the upcoming summit in a phone call with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea has become a key military backer for Russia, supplying troops and weapons for its war effort in Ukraine. The coordination between Putin and Kim underscores the complex geopolitical landscape President Trump is stepping into.
The immediate focus remains on whether the unified message from Kyiv and Europe will influence President Trump’s approach in Anchorage. The outcome of today’s virtual conference may only become clear after President Trump emerges from his face-to-face meeting with Putin on Friday.
