Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies called on U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday to bolster support for Kyiv and advocate for a ceasefire during his meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Alaska later this week.
Concerns have intensified regarding a potential agreement between Trump and Putin that could demand difficult concessions from Ukraine, especially since Zelensky has not been invited to the Anchorage discussions scheduled for Friday amid an intensified Russian offensive.
An analysis from the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reported that Russian forces achieved their most significant advancement into Ukraine in over a year on Tuesday, marking a concerning development as fighting continues in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky traveled to Berlin, where he participated in a virtual call with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with other European leaders and officials from NATO and the EU, to discuss strategies with Trump and emphasize a unified response to Russia.
Following the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that “the intention of the United States is to achieve a ceasefire.”
In Berlin, Zelensky expressed his hope that the main focus of the upcoming meeting would be an immediate ceasefire. He insisted that “sanctions need to be enforced and increased if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire.”
However, he also expressed skepticism about Russia’s willingness to seek peace, asserting, “I have informed my colleagues, the U.S. president, and our European allies that Putin clearly does not desire peace.”
Standing next to Zelensky, Merz emphasized that “a ceasefire must precede any discussions on peace,” insisting that Ukraine needs to be included in subsequent meetings after the Alaska summit.
Negotiations must encompass strong security assurances for Kyiv and be integrated into a comprehensive transatlantic approach, he noted.
Although Trump downplayed the likelihood of major breakthroughs in Alaska, he anticipated “constructive discussions” with Putin. He referred to the meeting as “mostly an exploratory one,” but also mentioned that there would ultimately be “some exchanges, some changes in territory.”
Merz pointed out that “Ukraine is open to negotiating territorial matters” but stressed that “the legal acknowledgment of Russian occupations is non-negotiable.”
Macron reiterated that “all territorial issues concerning Ukraine must be, and will be, discussed exclusively by the Ukrainian president.”
He added that Trump would advocate for a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelensky in the future and expressed hope that it could take place in Europe in a neutral location acceptable to all parties.
Following the call, European leaders expressed optimism about the future. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen remarked on X that “today, Europe, the U.S., and NATO have strengthened their common ground for Ukraine. We will maintain close coordination. No one desires peace more than we do—a just and lasting peace.”
NATO leader Mark Rutte described the call as “great” and commended Trump’s leadership and close cooperation with allies, stating, “The ball is now in Putin’s court.”
Merz remarked that the discussions had been “truly constructive,” and the leaders had wished President Trump success in his meeting, expressing hope for progress and peace in Ukraine.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed the flurry of diplomatic activity as “politically and practically insignificant” and accused it of undermining U.S. and Russian efforts to resolve the conflict.
Despite the hopeful statements, Russia’s military activities in eastern Ukraine continued to advance, gaining ground on Wednesday.
With global attention on the upcoming Alaska summit, Russia rapidly expanded its position this week in a crucial area along the front lines in Ukraine.
The AFP analysis indicated that the Russian military claimed control over or occupied 110 square kilometers as of August 12, the most significant gain since late May 2024.
In recent months, Moscow had typically taken five or six days to make such rapid gains, although the pace of Russian advances has quickened recently.
On Wednesday, the head of the Donetsk region ordered the evacuation of civilians with children from towns and villages facing threats.
Ukrainian soldiers stationed in Kramatorsk, an eastern city located about 20 kilometers from the front lines, conveyed their low expectations for Trump’s meeting with Putin.
Artem, a 30-year-old serviceman, commented that the conflict is likely to persist for “a long time.” “Putin is amassing troops, his forces are growing, he is stockpiling arms, and he is deceiving us,” he added.
