European Leaders Outline Five Key Points to Trump Ahead of Alaska Talks With Putin

European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have agreed on a set of joint principles for negotiations with Russia, which they presented to U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his planned August 15 meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. 

The Gaze reports this, referring to European officials.

The talks, held in Berlin, were part of a week of intensive diplomatic coordination aimed at ensuring Ukraine’s direct role in any peace process.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the discussions unfolded in two stages: first, a detailed exchange among the leaders of Germany, France, the UK, Poland, Finland, Italy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and Zelenskyy; followed by a meeting with Trump. 

All participants, Merz noted, were united in both their assessment of the war and their vision for a resolution.

Merz outlined five key messages delivered to Trump:

1. The leaders made clear that Ukraine must be at the negotiating table in any subsequent talks.

2. Negotiations should begin with a truce, potentially followed by a framework agreement.

3. Ukraine expressed readiness to discuss territorial questions, but only from the standpoint of the current line of contact. Legal recognition of occupied territories, Merz emphasized, is not under consideration.

4. A settlement must include robust, enforceable security assurances for Ukraine.

5. Merz noted that Trump agreed to brief Zelenskyy immediately after his meeting with Putin, before informing the other European leaders.

Von der Leyen described the day’s transatlantic talks as “very good,” saying Europe, the U.S., and NATO had “strengthened their joint position on Ukraine” and remain committed to achieving a “just and lasting peace.”

European capitals have repeatedly warned that no decisions about Ukraine can be made without its participation. Trump has said he expects his meeting with Putin to be “good,” while not ruling out negative outcomes.

Zelenskyy stressed that “everything concerning Ukraine must be discussed exclusively with Ukraine,” adding that sanctions against Russia should be intensified if Moscow refuses a ceasefire. 

He also called for preparations for a possible trilateral format involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia.

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