European Leaders Urge Trump to Defend Security Interests at Putin Summit

European Union leaders are urging President Donald Trump to defend their security priorities at his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, set for Friday in Alaska, comes as Russian forces close in on a strategic city in eastern Ukraine.

The EU is not formally part of the talks, raising fears that key decisions about the war’s outcome could be made without European or Ukrainian input.

Concern Over Possible Concessions

Trump has suggested Ukraine may have to cede some Russian-held territory. He also hinted at potential land swaps, though it is unclear what Russia might give in return. These statements have alarmed Ukraine and its European allies, who worry Putin could secure significant concessions without offering meaningful compromises.

EU leaders emphasized in a joint statement that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine” and reaffirmed that “international borders must not be changed by force.”

European Outreach Ahead of Talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to host virtual meetings on Wednesday to coordinate positions ahead of the summit. Trump has not confirmed if he will join but said he wants to hear “everybody’s ideas” before meeting Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected any settlement that requires surrendering territory. Advisers to his office warn that anything short of Russia’s strategic defeat risks undermining international law and emboldening aggressors worldwide.

Analysts Warn of Risks

Security experts call the Alaska summit a “profoundly alarming moment for Europe.” Nigel Gould-Davies of the International Institute for Strategic Studies warned that Putin could push Trump to accept Russian sovereignty over more Ukrainian territory and ease sanctions, risking a rift in the transatlantic alliance.

He argued that the conflict is not only about territory but about Putin’s ambition to dominate Ukraine and potentially threaten other European nations.

Battle for Pokrovsk Intensifies

As the summit approaches, Russia appears close to capturing Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Military analysts say losing the city would deal Ukraine a significant setback, disrupting supply lines and giving Russia an advantage in ongoing negotiations.

Ukraine’s military reported heavy fighting, describing the situation as “difficult, unpleasant, and dynamic.” In a separate attack, a Russian missile strike on a training facility killed one soldier and injured 11 others.

Political Divisions in the EU

The EU’s joint statement showed broad unity, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — Putin’s closest ally in the bloc — refused to sign. His stance highlights divisions within Europe over how to approach both Moscow and Washington.

For now, European leaders remain focused on influencing Trump’s approach in Alaska, despite being excluded from the main negotiating table.

SOURCE: AP News