President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to organize a trilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky in an attempt to end the war in Ukraine that has lasted three years. The strategy, however, generates apprehension between European allies and Ukraine itself, which fear being marginalized in negotiations about their future.
Next Friday, Trump and Putin will meet in Alaska to discuss the Ukrainian conflict. Zelensky’s confirmed absence in this first meeting raises serious Kiev concerns and European capitals about possible agreements made without Ukrainian participation.
Trump’s diplomatic offensive for a trilateral meeting and end war in Ukraine
United Roads Vice President Jd Vance confirmed on Sunday that the administration works to make a meeting that includes the three leaders. In an interview with Fox NewsVance argued that Trump must be a “decisive strength” to overcome the historical impasse between Moscow and Kiev.
“Putin had stated that he would never sit with Zelensky. Apparently President Trump managed to change this posture,” Vance said, highlighting what a significant diplomatic advances. The challenge is now on scheduling and logistics to bring together the three leaders.
Zelensky’s reaction: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”
The American strategy, however, finds resistance. Zelensky was emphatic in his social networks: “Ukraine issues should be decided with Ukraine’s participation.” The Ukrainian President also accused Russia of deliberately prolonging hostilities and trying to improve his positions on the battlefield for future offensive.
European allies fear marginalization
Seven European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, issued a joint statement reiterating that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.” Merz has classified as “unacceptable” that talks about territorial concessions occur “above the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians.”
The impasse of territorial concessions
The core of discussions revolves around extremely sensitive territorial proposals. The last Russian proposal, presented by Steve Witkoff, an American special envoy, at a three -hour meeting with Putin in Moscow, shocked Western leaders.
According to the proposal, Russia would agree with a ceasefire in exchange for the Ukrainian assignment of about one third from the Eastern region of Donetsk, still under Kiev’s control. The front line would be frozen elsewhere, including Zaporizehzia and Kerson, also claimed by Moscow. Putin has not reiterated earlier previous demands, such as the demilitarization of Ukraine or the replacement of his government.
In response, European powers and Ukraine presented counterproposal on Saturday during a meeting with US authorities in England. The European plan categorically rejects the exchange of parts of Donetsk for ceasefire. It requires any ceasefire to occur before other steps and that territorial exchanges are reciprocal-if Ukraine withdraws from some regions, Russia should do the same in others.
Crucially, the proposal stipulates that Ukrainian territorial concessions should be accompanied by “inabalable safety guarantees,” including potential adhesion to NATO.
Zelensky described the Russian proposal as “a plan to reduce everything to discuss the impossible” and reiterated that Ukraine “will” give no one to anyone. ” The Ukrainian leader categorically stated that there will be no territorial assignments that have not been decided on the battlefield.
US exchange direct help in the Ukraine War for Arms Sale
Parallel to diplomatic discussions, Washington signals significant change in financing Ukrainian defense. Vance has stated that Americans are “fed up” to directly finance the war.
“We are tired of continuing to send our money, our taxes, to this specific conflict,” said the vice president. He clarified, however, that there is no objection to the purchase of US weapons from Ukraine or European Allies: “If Europeans want to work hard and buy weapons from American producers, we are in agreement. But we will no longer finance directly.”
The change follows July between the Trump administration and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in which allies would buy Patriot Air Defense systems, missiles and ammunition from American manufacturers to help Kiev. The new policy transfers direct financial responsibility to Europe, keeping the US as a weaponry supplier.
While diplomacy advances at a rapid pace, reality on the ground remains brutal. On Sunday, Russian bombings hit Bus Terminal in Zaporizehzia, injuring 19 people. Zelensky took advantage of the attack to cry out for more “sanctions and pressure” against Moscow.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that Friday’s meeting will be crucial to “testing Putin-how serious he is to end this terrible war.” Vance predicted that neither Russians nor Ukrainian will be pleased with any final agreement.
Trump’s diplomacy faces the challenge of reconciling deeply conflicting interests. The attempt to force a trilateral encounter and the redefinition of American aid tests western cohesion and Moscow’s real disposition to peace. The week that begins will be decisive for the future of the conflict, with Alaska becoming the scene of one of Trump’s most important diplomatic maneuvers.
