Zelenskiy, Europeans speak to Trump ahead of summit

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

On August 13, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and major European leaders including Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Finland, and Poland are set to talk with U.S. President Donald Trump in a special online meeting. Their goal: to make sure Ukraine’s voice is heard before Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska—an important summit aimed at finding peace.

The Big Question: Will Ukraine Be Sidelined?
Trump's summit with Putin is the first face-to-face meeting between the two since 2021. Trump has called the meeting a “listening session” and suggested that both Ukraine and Russia might have to agree to give up some land for a peace deal. That’s worrying Ukraine and its allies because giving away land could weaken Ukraine and weaken Europe’s security.

That’s why Zelenskiy and several European leaders want a direct chance to speak with Trump—to highlight Ukraine’s concerns and push against any peace deal made without Ukraine’s approval.

Who’s Involved and What They’re Saying
In the online meeting:

Zelenskiy will stress that Ukraine cannot pull troops out of the Donbas region before a ceasefire and proper security guarantees are in place.

Leaders from Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Finland, Poland, and the European Union, plus NATO’s Secretary-General, will join.

They want to show a united front to Trump: any deal about Ukraine must include Ukraine itself and protect its borders.

A senior Eastern European official said that this meeting is crucial to prevent a peace deal that would harm Ukraine or Europe. They said the calls would show unity before Trump’s meeting with Putin.

What’s at Stake—Ukraine’s Position
Zelenskiy has made it clear: Ukraine will not give up territory it still controls, especially in the Donbas, without a ceasefire and strong security assurances. He said doing so would undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and open the door for further Russian aggression.

About 20% of Ukraine’s land is occupied by Russian forces. Polls show that nearly 70% of Ukrainians want peace, but most absolutely oppose any deal that costs them their land. Ukraine insists talks must respect this view.

Europe's Warnings

• European leaders say there shouldn't be any deal made without Ukraine playing a central role. They stand firm on these points:
• Peace must be based on international law, respecting national borders.
• No solution should be reached before a real ceasefire.
• There must be robust security guarantees—strong enough to deter future attacks.
• Ukraine must be at the table from the start of any discussions.
• These leaders will also meet later with Trump again, and then join a “coalition of the willing” discussion—a group preparing to support Ukraine after a ceasefire.

Why This Meeting Matters

• Trilateral Talks: The goal is to balance Trump’s meeting with Putin by showing him Ukraine’s side and keeping European countries aligned.
• Preventing Secret Deals: Europe and Ukraine fear Trump might give up too much for a quick peace deal, possibly leaving Ukraine out.
• Security First: They want any deal to be built on a solid ceasefire and guarantees that Ukraine will defend its land if needed.
• Strength in Unity: A united message from Zelenskiy and Europe gives more leverage when talking to Trump.

Looking Ahead to the Alaska Summit
The Trump-Putin summit is scheduled for Friday in Alaska and is expected to be a “listening session” rather than a formal agreement signing. Once this summit takes place, NATO officials and the “coalition of the willing” will work on support plans for Ukraine if a ceasefire holds.

Why It Matters to You
Even though the summit is between world leaders, the results can affect everyday life worldwide. If a fair peace is reached—one that includes Ukraine and preserves its borders—global stability and security are strengthened.

But if a deal is made without Ukraine, it could lead to new conflicts and instability in Eastern Europe—potentially affecting energy prices, global economies, and security alliances.

What  Why It’s Important

• Zelenskiy + European leaders speak to Trump    To share Ukraine’s concerns before Trump meets Putin
• Summit location  Alaska, end of the week—timely diplomatic discussions
• Main warning  No peace deal without Ukraine; must include ceasefire & guarantees
• Risks if Ukraine is excluded  A bad deal may weaken Ukraine and threaten European security
• Ukraine’s border stance  Won’t give up land without formal agreement and protection
• Next steps after summit   NATO and allies prepare support plan under “coalition of willing”
• This is more than another online meeting—it’s a critical moment to affect how peace talks move forward. Zelenskiy and European leaders are safeguarding Ukraine’s rights and future. They want to ensure any resolution is fair, inclusive, and secure.

Ukraine peace talks