Moscow dismisses European talks ahead of Trump–Putin 'Alaska Summit' as 'insignificant'
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Berlin to attend a series of video conferences organised by German chancellor Friedrich Merz, ahead of the forthcoming “Alaska Summit” between US president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Moscow has dismissed the consultations between European leaders as 'politically and practically insignificant'.
The talks began at 2 p.m. with an online meeting between several EU leaders, the UK prime minister, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the secretary-general of NATO, Mark Rutte, and Zelensky. The purpose of this meeting was to prepare for the scheduled 3 p.m. call with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance. At around 4 p.m., the 'coalition of the willing' - countries providing military support to Kyiv - also met virtually.
Speaking after talks with Trump, French president Emmanuel Macron stressed that territorial issues within Ukraine’s jurisdiction will be negotiated solely by the Ukrainian president. He said that the United States wanted to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, but that serious proposals for territorial exchanges were not currently on the table.
In Alaska, the fundamental security interests of Europe and Ukraine must be safeguarded
Merz told reporters that Ukraine, its European allies and Trump are 'very much aligned' ahead of Friday's meeting in Alaska. "In Alaska, the fundamental security interests of Europe and Ukraine must be safeguarded. That was the message we Europeans conveyed to President Trump today," he said alongside Zelensky. He added that there was “broad agreement” on the assessment of the situation and the objectives to be achieved at Friday's summit.
Zelensky has not been invited to the Alaska meeting, which is a cause for concern among European leaders. In recent days, various formats of talks on Ukraine’s future have been held, with leaders repeatedly stating that no resolution to the conflict can be reached without Ukraine and Europe present.
A Russian Foreign Ministry official accused European leaders of hypocrisy, claiming that, although they express support for US–Russian diplomacy to end the crisis, they are, in reality, undermining those efforts.
At present, there is no sign the Russians are ready to end the war
Speaking from Berlin, Zelensky urged allies to maintain pressure on Moscow for a “balanced peace” and to resist “Russian deception”. He warned: “At present, there is no sign the Russians are ready to end the war.”
On Wednesday, Trump said that he wants to hold a meeting "almost immediately" after his summit with Putin in Alaska on Friday, with the aim of bringing Putin, Zelensky and himself together.
© DPA
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