Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy garnered support from Europe and NATO on Sunday as he sought diplomatic backing before the upcoming Russia-U.S. summit. There are concerns in Kyiv that Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump might attempt to impose terms for ending the ongoing three-and-a-half-year conflict.
Contrary to previous threats of imposing new sanctions on Russia, Trump surprisingly announced last Friday that he plans to hold a summit with Putin in Alaska on August 15. Although the White House indicated openness to Zelenskyy’s participation, the current focus remains on a bilateral meeting with Putin.
Despite hopes for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, the Kremlin leader ruled out such an encounter, citing that the necessary conditions have not been met yet. This raised alarms in Ukraine following Trump’s suggestion of potential territorial swaps, leading to concerns that pressure might be exerted on Ukraine to concede more land. Zelenskyy emphasized that any decisions made without Ukraine’s involvement would be ineffective.
Leaders from various European countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission, emphasized the importance of safeguarding Ukraine and Europe’s security interests in any diplomatic resolution. The EU’s foreign policy chief highlighted the U.S.’ ability to compel Russia to engage in serious negotiations.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed the importance of testing Putin’s commitment to ending the conflict. He emphasized Ukraine’s sovereignty in determining its geopolitical future and the need for security guarantees. The discussions surrounding a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine aim to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties.
Regarding territorial claims, Russia currently controls a significant portion of Ukrainian territory following a full-scale invasion in February 2022. The proposed territorial swap hinted by Trump has not been officially disclosed. Amidst concerns that a deal between Putin and Trump could sideline Ukraine and Europe, efforts are ongoing to ensure Ukraine’s voice is heard in the diplomatic discussions.
The fear of a disadvantageous deal being brokered between Trump and Putin has prompted Ukraine and its European allies to closely monitor developments. With the impending summit between Putin and Trump, there are heightened concerns about potential outcomes that could impact Ukraine and Europe. Maintaining a united front with European partners is crucial for Ukraine in navigating the diplomatic negotiations ahead.