European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, will convene an online summit on Wednesday with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, aiming to safeguard Ukraine's interests. Invited to the afternoon video call are Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leaders from France, the UK, Italy, Poland, and heads of the European Commission, European Council, and NATO.
The gathering comes just days before the planned Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska on Friday. EU chiefs stressed the right of Ukraine "to choose its own destiny" and warned that "international borders must not be changed by force." Zelenskyy has ruled out withdrawing troops from the Donbas region, which Moscow claims, maintaining Kyiv's firm stance.
Merz's office said the video talks will explore "further options to exert pressure on Russia" and prepare for potential peace negotiations, focusing on territorial claims and security guarantees. After the multilateral call, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Chancellor Merz will join the Coalition of the Willing, the group supporting Ukraine's military efforts.
Trump has described his meeting with Putin as a "feel-out" session, hinting at possible land swaps and changes. Russia's peace conditions include Ukraine pulling back forces, declaring neutrality, and renouncing NATO and Western military support—terms Kyiv is unlikely to accept. Wednesday's summit will test whether transatlantic unity can steer the negotiations toward a balanced outcome.
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European leaders to hold Ukraine online summit before Trump-Putin meet
cgtn.com
