European Leaders Warn Trump Against Alaska Peace Deal Without Ukraine

European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are warning U.S. President Donald Trump against making a unilateral peace agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their scheduled one-on-one meeting later this week in Alaska.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted a virtual summit with Trump, Zelensky, and leaders from France, Italy, Poland, Finland, NATO, and the European Union to discuss concerns that Moscow might push for terms favorable to Russia without Ukraine’s direct involvement.

Following the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump assured leaders that Washington supports Ukraine’s participation in any talks on territorial issues. Trump indicated that if his summit with Putin goes well, a follow-up meeting between Putin and Zelensky could happen “almost immediately.”

Two European diplomats told CNN that Trump appeared ready to push for an unconditional ceasefire with Russia. Zelensky emphasized that a ceasefire and reliable security guarantees must be the first priorities and that sanctions should be intensified if no agreement is reached.

Merz reinforced that Ukraine must be included in negotiations and that Ukrainian territorial integrity is “not up for discussion,” despite Trump’s earlier comments suggesting possible land swaps. Reports indicate Putin has proposed Ukraine cede the eastern Donbas region in exchange for a ceasefire, but the plan remains unclear.

The talks come as Ukraine’s military faces pressure along the eastern Donetsk front, while sanctions continue to strain Russia’s war economy. European officials noted that Trump’s recent trade tariffs on India for buying Russian oil show his willingness to apply economic pressure.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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