**Zelensky and EU Leaders Set for Crucial Call with Trump Before Putin Summit**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing for a significant dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside European leaders, just ahead of Friday’s high-stakes meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. This upcoming call, emphasized for its strategic importance, is focused on consolidating support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia as tensions remain high in the region.
This coordinated effort aims to pressure Trump into committing to the idea that any agreements made in negotiations with Russia should not happen without Ukrainian involvement. In this context, Zelensky and the EU leaders are expected to stress that no alterations to Ukraine’s borders should be made forcibly. Trump has previously suggested that any peace agreement may involve “some swapping of territories,” a notion that raises significant concern among Ukrainian officials. There are apprehensions regarding Putin’s demands that Kyiv provide concessions regarding the Donbas region, which is currently partially occupied by Russian forces.
In a recent statement, President Zelensky articulated the risks associated with conceding any territory, suggesting that such an action could embolden further aggressions from Russia. He noted the upward trend in Russian advances in multiple fronts, especially highlighting the recent offensives in eastern Ukraine.
The current situation on the ground remains precarious. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, the conflict has evolved significantly. Following a summer offensive that has witnessed a marked advance of Russian troops near the town of Dobropillia, Zelensky has been vocal about the implications of this escalation. He believes that Russia aims to propagate a narrative asserting its advancement while portraying Ukraine as losing ground, particularly as the Trump-Putin summit approaches.
As reported, the Donbas region, encompassing the vital eastern territories of Luhansk and Donetsk, has faced continuous encroachment since 2014. To date, Russian forces maintain substantial control, with nearly all of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk under their dominion. While Zelensky has reiterated Ukraine’s refusal to consider any proposals that would leave the Donbas vulnerable, concerns grow about Trump’s conciliatory language regarding territorial changes.
The upcoming meeting in Alaska was described by Trump as a “feel-out” session, aimed at understanding the dynamic before him with Putin. Recently, White House spokespersons have characterized the talks as primarily a “listening exercise,” devoid of immediate high expectations for groundbreaking resolutions. However, Trump remains optimistic about the potential outcomes, remarking that he feels “there is a shot at it.”
Another key facet of the discussions will center on the integrity of borders within the European context as articulated by EU leaders—specifically that European borders must not be changed through coercion. This framework is intended to provide a united front in supporting Ukraine and upholding the principle of sovereignty amidst aggressive maneuvers by Russia.
Historically, Trump has suggested the idea of trading territories to benefit both Ukraine and Russia, a proposal that has sparked significant alarm in Kyiv and across European capitals. Reports indicate that nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory remains under Russian control.
The dialogue surrounding this summit not only underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions but also hints at the complex web of interests at play, involving military, territorial, and diplomatic stakes. Zelensky’s firm stance—rooted in Ukraine’s constitutional obligations to conduct referendums for territory changes—illustrates the underlying complexities and potential ramifications that any decision regarding territorial adjustments could entail.
As the date of the Trump-Putin summit approaches, global observers eagerly await developments in Alaska, hoping that these talks may herald a new phase of engagement or resolution in the protracted conflict within Ukraine. However, the outcome remains uncertain as the involved parties prepare their positions under the watchful eyes of a garrisoned world.
