European leaders said they had worked out a strategy with President Trump for his Friday meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. A key point of the plan is that any peace initiative must begin with a cease-fire and cannot be negotiated without Ukraine at the table.
The last-minute push, delivered in a video conference organized by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, brought together Trump and European partners with strong ties to him, tied to Ukraine’s defense and Western unity. Participants were told Zelensky traveled to Berlin to join the briefing with Merz.
Merz described the conversation as “truly exceptionally constructive and good,” saying there was hope for movement and peace in Ukraine. After the call, Trump said it had been a very good, friendly discussion and signaled he would touch base with Zelensky and then with other European leaders following the Alaska meeting. He indicated that if the talks went well, he might arrange a joint meeting with Putin and Zelensky soon afterward.
Trump warned that Russia would face severe consequences if Putin does not agree to halt the war after Friday’s meeting. When asked whether he believed he could persuade Putin to stop strikes on Ukrainian civilians, Trump replied that he could not be certain, noting his previous conversations have sometimes been followed by devastating attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Five principles emerged from the leaders: keep Ukraine at the table for follow-up talks; do not discuss peace terms or land swaps before a cease-fire is in place; Ukraine could discuss territorial changes but would not recognize Russia’s occupation; secure guarantees for Ukraine after the war, including the possibility of future NATO membership; and bolster economic pressure on Russia if negotiations fail to produce an accord.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that while territorial exchanges had come up, there were no serious plans on the table, and only Ukraine could negotiate such a swap. Zelensky, who was not invited to the Alaska meeting, told reporters that Putin is bluffing about his intentions in Anchorage and warned that the Russian leader does not want peace.
Trump has publicly suggested he could broker a deal that might include land swaps, prompting concern among European allies about his influence over the negotiations. He has also signaled a willingness to test Moscow’s proposals more directly, even as his rhetoric has fluctuated in recent weeks.
The call that Merz and other European leaders arranged was designed to counter any tilt toward a settlement that could leave Ukraine with unfavorable terms or undermine Western support. Some observers warn that even a fragile cease-fire could embolden Moscow to press its advantage elsewhere in Europe, while others hope a carefully managed deal could reduce civilian casualties and create a path to a broader peace.
Analysts note that Europe’s strategy hinges on maintaining U.S. backing while ensuring Ukraine’s position is not sidelined in negotiations. They caution that President Trump’s readiness to shape terms with Putin remains a decisive wild card, and they expect the Friday meeting to be closely watched for any signal of a shift in American policy toward Kyiv.
What to watch next
– Whether the Alaska meeting yields any concrete steps toward a cease-fire and expanded Ukrainian security guarantees.
– If Trump conveys a coherent framework that aligns with the five principles, or if he signals openness to concessions that could complicate Kyiv’s position.
– How Zelensky and Kyiv respond to any signals from Washington and Moscow about potential land or sovereignty arrangements.
– The broader impact on European security, including NATO unity and deterrence in the Baltic region, should discussions progress or stall.
Additional context and analysis
– The episode underscores Europe’s ongoing effort to corral Trump’s unpredictable approach and keep American leverage aligned with Kyiv’s interests. While Merz and allied leaders publicly frame the discussions as constructive, they remain wary of any shift that could undermine Ukraine’s battlefield footing or provoke renewed pressure on Kyiv to accept terms it considers unacceptable.
– The Alaska meeting, if it proceeds with a clear, cease-fire-first framework and concrete security guarantees for Ukraine, could reduce the immediate likelihood of a broader escalation. If not, European leaders worry that Putin could be emboldened to escalate elsewhere in the region or to press for more favorable terms for Moscow.
Overall, the maneuver reflects Europe’s balancing act: sustaining robust support for Ukraine while attempting to keep Washington and Moscow on a path toward reduced violence and a negotiated end to the conflict. The outcome remains uncertain, with much riding on Friday’s discussions and the communications that follow.