European leaders and Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Donald Trump this week before its August 15 summit with Vladimir Putin , aiming to prevent Washington from imposing peace conditions on Kyiv that could be deemed unfavorable. Both the EU and NATO are adamant about preserving Ukrainian sovereignty , while Trump has described the upcoming meeting as a “contact meeting” intended to help bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
Volodymyr Zelensky, along with European leaders, will connect with Donald Trump on Wednesday, a move made in response to the U.S. President’s irritation at Zelensky’s refusal to concede Ukrainian territories. The leaders aim to influence the discussions between Trump and Putin, with growing concerns regarding a potential agreement that may compromise Ukraine’s integrity.
The European Common Front
As the Alaska summit approaches, with discussions set for Friday, August 15, there is a concerted effort by European powers to present a unified front and enhance their diplomatic initiatives. On Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz extended invitations to leaders from France , the United Kingdom , Italy , Poland , Finland , along with representatives from the EU, Ukraine, and NATO . Notably, Trump and his vice-president JD Vance have also been invited to participate in discussions via video conference on Wednesday.
The discussions, organized by thematic groups , are set to explore possible additional actions aimed at enforcing pressure on Russia while also preparing for potential peace negotiations. Matters concerning territorial claims and security guarantees are particular focal points, as emphasized by Berlin officials.
Following this, the French presidency confirmed that this diplomatic initiative involves collaboration between Emmanuel Macron , Keir Starmer , and Friedrich Merz .
A First Meeting Without Americans
Reports from the German newspaper Bild suggest that Zelensky, alongside European leaders and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte , will convene first without American representatives. The outcomes from this preliminary meeting will be relayed to the U.S. later.
On the same day in Germany, EU foreign ministers convened urgently to prevent a possible adverse agreement between Washington and Moscow that may undermine Ukraine’s position.
The upcoming Alaska summit is expected to revolve around a potential agreement that could offer territorial exchanges as a method to bring closure to the conflict ignited by Russia on February 24, 2022.
Volodymyr Zelensky Present or Absent?
Currently, Volodymyr Zelensky’s attendance is not confirmed, though the U.S. has not ruled it out. The Ukrainian President has reiterated the critical stance of not yielding to Putin’s demands.
In a recent post on Facebook , Zelensky stated, “Russia refuses to stop the massacres and must, therefore, not receive any rewards or benefits. This is not merely a moral stance but a rational one.”
EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas expressed that any agreement between the U.S. and Russia “must include Ukraine and the EU,” framing the situation as a matter of security for both Ukraine and all of Europe.
Ukraine is ready for real decisions that can bring peace. Any Decisions that are Against Us, Any Decisions that are Without Ukraine, Are at the Same Time Decisions Against Peace. They will not achieve anything. These are Stillborn Decisions. They are unwork decisions. And we … pic.twitter.com/jfg0rielzp
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир зеленський (@zelenskyyua) August 9, 2025
Support Research Before Meeting
Zelensky has actively engaged with multiple European leaders in recent days, assuring that Kyiv is fully cooperating with the United States. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has also been in active talks with nine heads of state, including Xi Jinping , Narendra Modi , and Inacio Lula da Silva .
Trump, who previously asserted he could resolve the Ukrainian conflict within 24 hours upon returning to power, has reportedly been growing frustrated over Russia’s escalation of bombings in Ukraine.
An Ultimatum to Stop Fighting?
The announcement of the Alaska summit, which is scheduled for August 9, coincides with the expiration of an ultimatum directed at the Kremlin to end the ongoing conflict, the worst armed clash in Europe since World War II.
Since that ultimatum has passed, violence has continued with reports indicating that six individuals have been killed in Russian strikes on Sunday alone. In an incident that day, a Russian bomb struck a busy bus station in Zaporijjia , resulting in at least twenty injuries.
Moscow Claims the Occupied Territories
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Monday the capture of a new village, Fedorivka , located within the besieged Donetsk region, which raises concerns about further encirclement of key cities.
Currently, the Russian military occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, with claims that Ukraine relinquish control over four partially occupied regions (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporijjia, and Kherson) and the annexed Crimea to Russia, alongside demands for an end to Western aid and NATO membership aspirations—conditions that Kyiv deems utterly unacceptable.
We stand at a critical juncture in this evolving narrative as Ukraine and its allies navigate the complexities of diplomacy amidst a backdrop of aggression and the pivotal importance of territorial integrity.