European leaders are mounting an eleventh-hour diplomatic push to convince President Donald Trump ahead of his high-wire meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday. The historic meeting, aimed at agreeing a ceasefire in the conflict in Ukraine, has caused consternation in European capitals for fear of territorial losses and exclusion of Ukraine from decisions regarding its own destiny. With neither Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy nor European leaders on the guest list for the Alaska negotiations, EU foreign ministers are rushing to make their voices heard before any agreement is reached. The diplomatic push stems from Europe’s fear that Trump, wanting a quick solution, will accept terms that are unfavorable to Europe and set risky precedents for international law and European security.
European Diplomatic Push
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the U.S. had pledged to consult with Europe ahead of a summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, as European ministers prepare for discussions amid fears Washington may dictate unfavourable peace terms to Ukraine.
European Union foreign ministers were due to hold a video conference on Monday afternoon to discuss their support for Kyiv and the upcoming meeting.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced last week he would meet Putin on Friday in Alaska to negotiate an end to the 3-1/2-year war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour.
“The American side has promised that it will consult with European partners on its position before the meeting in Alaska,” Poland’s Tusk told a press conference.
“I will wait… for the effects of the meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin – I have many fears and a lot of hope,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that concessions to Moscow would not persuade it to stop fighting in Ukraine and that there was a need to ramp up pressure on the Kremlin.
Consultation and Coordination Efforts
European officials have sought to influence the White House’s positioning ahead of the Alaska talks, emphasizing the need to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty, provide security guarantees and allow Kyiv to choose its own path.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met European and Ukrainian officials over the weekend, and European leaders are expected to conduct more outreach to Washington in the coming days.
“Any deal between the U.S. and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine’s and the whole of Europe’s security,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday.
European leaders have also underscored their commitment to the idea that international borders cannot be changed by force, as EU capitals fear a deal forced on Kyiv could create a dangerous precedent.
Security Guarantees and Territorial Concerns
“Regarding territorial issues, the Russian position is framed as a territorial swap, but it appears as a rather one-sided swap,” a European Commission official said on Sunday.
“In the context of these talks, the U.S. administration has been very involved and has shown interest in aligning positioning with Europe,” the official said.
“The most robust security guarantee would be that there are no limitations on Ukraine armed forces and third countries’ support to Ukraine.”
With the Alaska summit looming, Europe is in the rare role of lobbying its most significant ally to pursue its own security objectives. The diplomatic frenzy is a sign of how complicated transatlantic relations have become in a time when the priorities of America and Europe are not necessarily converging. Whether or not European pressure will make a difference in the course of the Trump-Putin negotiations is to be determined, but the strength of the push indicates just how much rides on the continent’s security and the values that have governed international affairs for decades.
GCN.com/Reuters.