CNN: Europe admits outcome of any meeting with Trump unpredictable

The Europeans expect a positive meeting because they describe the current dynamic between the US and Ukraine as productive. Still, they acknowledge that the outcome of any meeting with the U.S. President is unpredictable, CNN writes.

U.S. and European officials confirmed that the upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not include any European leaders.'

However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to join a preparatory call on December 28 with Zelenskyy, Trump, and other European leaders.

European officials noted that Ukraine has been seeking a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump for months, highlighting Kyiv’s efforts to secure direct engagement with the U.S. ahead of year-end discussions on security and support.

On December 26, Zelenskyy said that he had held discussions with leaders from NATO, Canada, Germany, Finland, Denmark, and Estonia to align their positions ahead of Sunday’s meeting. “Ukraine has never been and will never be an obstacle to peace, and we will continue working efficiently to ensure all necessary documents are prepared as quickly as possible,” he stated.

Zelenskyy’s comments come after he indicated a willingness to compromise on several contentious issues that have stalled the US-mediated peace process with Russia. It remains uncertain, however, whether these concessions will meet Moscow’s demands.

When asked about the possibility of Ukraine considering territorial concessions to achieve a peace deal, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN that “giving up the rest of Donetsk could contribute significantly.”

The original 28-point peace plan, developed in November after US-Russia talks, faced criticism from Ukraine’s allies for being heavily skewed in Moscow’s favour. After subsequent discussions between Ukrainian and US officials, the plan was reduced to a 20-point draft, which Zelenskyy described as a “foundational document on ending the war.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev