Not invited to Alaska, Zelenskyy heads to Berlin for Trump-Europe digital assembly

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to Berlin on Wednesday for a German-hosted digital assembly with Donald Trump and European leaders, two days earlier than the US president meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Europe’s leaders are attempting to drive dwelling the perils of promoting out Kyiv’s pursuits on the first US-Russia summit since 2021.

Trump has mentioned the Alaska talks will likely be a “feel-out” assembly as he pursues a ceasefire in Moscow’s warfare on Ukraine, having mentioned final week, to consternation in Kyiv and Europe, that any deal would contain “some swapping of territories”.

Zelenskyy will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier than a video convention with the leaders of Germany, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland and the European Union at 2 pm (1200 GMT), the hosts mentioned. Nato Secretary Normal Mark Rutte may also attend.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance will be a part of the decision at 3 pm (1300 GMT).

Europe and Kyiv worry unpredictable Alaska deal

The unpredictability of the summit in Alaska has fuelled Europeans’ fears that the US and Russia may take far-reaching choices over their heads and even search to coerce Ukraine into an unfavourable deal.

“We’re focusing now to make sure that it doesn’t occur — partaking with US companions and staying coordinated and united on the European aspect. Nonetheless numerous time till Friday,” mentioned one senior official from Jap Europe.

European leaders, cautious of angering Trump, have repeatedly mentioned they welcome his efforts whereas stressing that there ought to be no deal about Ukraine —nearly a fifth of which Russia has occupied— with out Ukraine’s participation.

Trump’s administration tempered expectations on Tuesday for main progress towards a ceasefire, calling his assembly with Putin in Alaska a “listening train”.

Trump’s settlement final week to the summit with Putin was an abrupt shift after weeks of voicing frustration with Putin for resisting the US peace initiative. Trump mentioned his envoy had made “nice progress” at talks in Moscow.

Half a dozen senior European officers advised Reuters that they see a threat of a deal being struck that’s unfavourable for Europe and Ukraine’s safety. They mentioned European unity could be important if that occurred.

White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt advised reporters on Tuesday the summit could be a “listening train” for Trump to listen to what it will take to get to a deal.

After the assembly with Trump, the “coalition of the keen”, a bunch of nations engaged on plans to help Ukraine within the occasion of a ceasefire, may also convene on-line.

Battlefield strain mounts on Ukraine

A Gallup ballot launched final week discovered that 69 per cent of Ukrainians favour a negotiated finish to the warfare as quickly as doable. However polls additionally point out Ukrainians are not looking for peace at any price if meaning crushing concessions.

Forward of the calls, Zelenskyy mentioned it will be unattainable for Kyiv to comply with a deal that may require it to withdraw its troops from the jap Donbas area, a big swathe of which is already occupied by Russia.

That, he advised reporters on Tuesday, would deprive Ukraine of an unlimited defensive community within the area, easing the best way for a Russian push deeper into Ukraine sooner or later.

He mentioned territorial points may solely be mentioned as soon as a ceasefire was in place and Ukraine had acquired safety ensures.

Moscow’s troops have not too long ago ramped up strain on the battlefield, tightening their stranglehold on the cities of Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka in jap Ukraine.

(This can be a wire copy. Aside from the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost employees.)