Bloomberg: Kyiv, allies push Trump for ceasefire, security guarantees in Alaska talks

Kyiv and its Western allies are urging US President Donald Trump to prioritise a truce along current battle-lines as the first step toward formal negotiations with Russia, warning that any agreement must be backed by robust security guarantees.

The calls came during a joint discussion between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European leaders ahead of Trump’s August 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, Caliber.Az reports via Bloomberg. 

European officials told Trump that a ceasefire must be the immediate outcome of the Alaska summit, with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressing that “Ukraine will be at the table as soon as there is a follow-up meeting” and warning that pressure on Moscow should increase if no progress is made.

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Until there is a ceasefire and a lasting peace, we must continue to support Ukraine, and when I say we I mean Europeans and Americans.”

Trump told leaders he would not negotiate territories with Putin and would push for direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents.

“There’s a very good chance that we’re going to have a second meeting which will be more productive than the first,” he said, adding that the US could support some security guarantees for Kyiv short of full NATO membership.

Zelenskyy reaffirmed his opposition to ceding territory, saying, “We need more pressure — not only American but also European sanctions.”

European capitals have ruled out formally recognising Russian control of occupied areas, including Crimea and parts of Donbas, which Moscow has demanded as a condition for a ceasefire.

By Sabina Mammadli