Zelensky and European Leaders Urge USA to Support Ukraine in Talks with Trump Ahead of Putin Meeting

As tensions rise in Eastern Europe, Zelensky collaborates with EU leaders to reinforce Ukraine's stance against territorial concessions in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to hold a critical online discussion with European leaders to increase pressure on US President Donald Trump ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday. The call aims to convey a unified message that any discussions regarding Ukraine should not proceed without its representatives, particularly when addressing territorial changes resulting from the ongoing hostilities.

In the lead-up to this summit, Zelensky has expressed concern over Trump's comments suggesting a peace deal could involve "some swapping of territories." This conversation arises as Russia has intensified its military incursions in Ukraine, with notable gains reported around the eastern town of Dobropillia, where Russian forces have advanced rapidly in recent weeks.

Despite the alarming developments on the battlefield, Zelensky attempted to temper perceptions of Russia's progress, asserting that such advances are part of a strategy to generate a distorted narrative of the conflict ahead of the Trump-Putin discussions. He emphasized that Ukraine remains steadfast in its position against any proposals to cede control of the contested Donbas region, which has faced Russian occupation since 2014.

Meanwhile, the White House has qualified Friday's meeting as primarily a "listening exercise" for Trump, aiming to gauge Putin's intentions and gather insights that could pave a path toward peace. The conversation between the two leaders has been framed as an exploratory discussion rather than one immediately fruitful in resolution. Trump himself described the summit as a "feel-out meeting," lowering expectations for breakthrough agreements.

Zelensky has consistently reinforced the message that any decisions made without Ukrainian input would be "dead decisions." His remarks underline the critical importance of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, as negotiations surrounding the war's future intensify. As the outcomes of the Trump-Putin summit remain uncertain, the ongoing conflict continues to pose significant challenges for Ukraine's borders and international relationships.