With looming territorial negotiations, the absence of Ukraine at the table raises questions about the potential for lasting peace.
**Zelensky's Possible Participation in Trump-Putin Talks Sparks European Concern**
**Zelensky's Possible Participation in Trump-Putin Talks Sparks European Concern**
In the lead-up to a pivotal summit, European leaders grapple with their exclusion from crucial discussions over Ukraine's fate.
In a significant diplomatic moment, President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a bilateral summit that many European leaders yearn to attend. The stakes are high as territorial concessions are expected to be a focal point of the discussions, leaving Europe—especially Ukraine—on edge about the potential redrawing of borders through force.
As it stands, neither Ukraine, the nation under invasion, nor Europe is invited to partake in the talks. "Brace ourselves for some pretty outrageous Russian demands," cautions Lord Simon McDonald, a former UK Foreign Office chief, predicting theatrical negotiations where Putin may push for concessions that seem unthinkable, barring a receptive ear from Trump.
President Zelensky has firmly stated he will not condone any land cessions or frozen fronts, insisting that such moves would embolden Russia’s military campaign, which has been a full-scale conflict for over three and a half years. "Putin seeks a photo opportunity with influential leaders, including Trump, to potentially secure the postponement of sanctions," comments the EU foreign policy head, Kaja Kallas. She perceives Zelensky’s presence as a benchmark for success in the meeting.
However, uncertainty lingers regarding whether Zelensky will indeed be included in the discussions. Trump acknowledged the possibility, yet Kyiv and European leaders desire a definitive assurance. The one-on-one format, which originated from the Kremlin, has compounded concerns about effectively challenging Putin's proposals without Ukraine's leader at the table.
As Brussels navigates a quieter August, the urgency surrounding the US-Russia talks has reignited diplomatic hustle. Kallas convened a recent virtual meeting with foreign ministers demanding an immediate ceasefire ahead of negotiations, amidst new sanctions imposed on Moscow.
On the topic of land exchanges mentioned by Trump, Kallas stresses that aggressors should not be rewarded for their transgressions, cautioning that failing to hold Russia accountable could lead to further aggression globally. Europe aims to unify its support around Ukraine while attempting to assert influence in this American-led peace initiative.
Yet since Trump’s presidency resumed earlier this year, the EU's participation in peace talks has been consistently rebuffed, leaving European diplomats scrambling to assert their crucial role in this existential security matter. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski insists that decisions regarding the conflict must ultimately include European considerations.
In a move towards inclusion, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arranged a virtual meeting involving European leaders, Zelensky, and Trump this Wednesday in hopes of gaining insights into America’s strategy to resolve Russia's invasion. Still, Lord McDonald remains skeptical about the chances of a European invitation being extended before the Alaska talks, hinting that a resolution may take considerable time as drawn out as the conflict itself.
As it stands, neither Ukraine, the nation under invasion, nor Europe is invited to partake in the talks. "Brace ourselves for some pretty outrageous Russian demands," cautions Lord Simon McDonald, a former UK Foreign Office chief, predicting theatrical negotiations where Putin may push for concessions that seem unthinkable, barring a receptive ear from Trump.
President Zelensky has firmly stated he will not condone any land cessions or frozen fronts, insisting that such moves would embolden Russia’s military campaign, which has been a full-scale conflict for over three and a half years. "Putin seeks a photo opportunity with influential leaders, including Trump, to potentially secure the postponement of sanctions," comments the EU foreign policy head, Kaja Kallas. She perceives Zelensky’s presence as a benchmark for success in the meeting.
However, uncertainty lingers regarding whether Zelensky will indeed be included in the discussions. Trump acknowledged the possibility, yet Kyiv and European leaders desire a definitive assurance. The one-on-one format, which originated from the Kremlin, has compounded concerns about effectively challenging Putin's proposals without Ukraine's leader at the table.
As Brussels navigates a quieter August, the urgency surrounding the US-Russia talks has reignited diplomatic hustle. Kallas convened a recent virtual meeting with foreign ministers demanding an immediate ceasefire ahead of negotiations, amidst new sanctions imposed on Moscow.
On the topic of land exchanges mentioned by Trump, Kallas stresses that aggressors should not be rewarded for their transgressions, cautioning that failing to hold Russia accountable could lead to further aggression globally. Europe aims to unify its support around Ukraine while attempting to assert influence in this American-led peace initiative.
Yet since Trump’s presidency resumed earlier this year, the EU's participation in peace talks has been consistently rebuffed, leaving European diplomats scrambling to assert their crucial role in this existential security matter. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski insists that decisions regarding the conflict must ultimately include European considerations.
In a move towards inclusion, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arranged a virtual meeting involving European leaders, Zelensky, and Trump this Wednesday in hopes of gaining insights into America’s strategy to resolve Russia's invasion. Still, Lord McDonald remains skeptical about the chances of a European invitation being extended before the Alaska talks, hinting that a resolution may take considerable time as drawn out as the conflict itself.
