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\nEuropean leaders and \u00a0Volodymyr Zelensky\u00a0 will meet \u00a0Donald Trump\u00a0 this week before its August 15 summit with \u00a0Vladimir Putin\u00a0, aiming to prevent Washington from imposing peace conditions on Kyiv that could be deemed unfavorable. Both the \u00a0EU\u00a0 and \u00a0NATO\u00a0 are adamant about preserving \u00a0Ukrainian sovereignty\u00a0, while Trump has described the upcoming meeting as a \u201ccontact meeting\u201d intended to help bring an end to the ongoing conflict.\n<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
As the Alaska summit approaches, with discussions set for Friday, August 15, there is a concerted effort by European powers to present a \u00a0unified front\u00a0 and enhance their diplomatic initiatives. On Monday, German Chancellor \u00a0Friedrich Merz\u00a0 extended invitations to leaders from \u00a0France\u00a0, the \u00a0United Kingdom\u00a0, \u00a0Italy\u00a0, \u00a0Poland\u00a0, \u00a0Finland\u00a0, along with representatives from the EU, Ukraine, and \u00a0NATO\u00a0. Notably, \u00a0Trump\u00a0 and his vice-president \u00a0JD Vance\u00a0 have also been invited to participate in discussions via video conference on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The discussions, organized by \u00a0thematic groups\u00a0, are set to explore possible \u00a0additional actions\u00a0 aimed at enforcing pressure on Russia while also preparing for potential peace negotiations. Matters concerning \u00a0territorial claims\u00a0 and \u00a0security guarantees\u00a0 are particular focal points, as emphasized by Berlin officials.<\/p>\n
Following this, the French presidency confirmed that this diplomatic initiative involves collaboration between \u00a0Emmanuel Macron\u00a0, \u00a0Keir Starmer\u00a0, and \u00a0Friedrich Merz\u00a0.<\/p>\n
Reports from the German newspaper \u00a0Bild\u00a0 suggest that Zelensky, alongside European leaders and \u00a0NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte\u00a0, will convene first without American representatives. The outcomes from this \u00a0preliminary meeting\u00a0 will be relayed to the U.S. later.<\/p>\n
On the same day in Germany, \u00a0EU foreign ministers\u00a0 convened urgently to prevent a possible adverse agreement between Washington and Moscow that may undermine Ukraine’s position.<\/p>\n
The upcoming Alaska summit is expected to revolve around a potential agreement that could offer \u00a0territorial exchanges\u00a0 as a method to bring closure to the conflict ignited by Russia on February 24, 2022.<\/p>\n
Currently, Volodymyr Zelensky\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
In a recent post on \u00a0Facebook\u00a0, Zelensky stated, \u201cRussia refuses to stop the massacres and must, therefore, not receive any rewards or benefits. This is not merely a \u00a0moral\u00a0 stance but a \u00a0rational\u00a0 one.\u201d<\/p>\n
EU\u2019s chief diplomat \u00a0Kaja Kallas\u00a0 expressed that any agreement between the U.S. and Russia \u201cmust include Ukraine and the EU,\u201d framing the situation as a matter of \u00a0security\u00a0 for both Ukraine and all of Europe.<\/p>\n
\nUkraine 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<\/a><\/p>\n