Trump, Zelenskyy, EU leaders to discuss Ukraine’s future ahead of Alaska summit

European and Ukrainian leaders are set to meet virtually with U.S. President Donald Trump on August 13, ahead of his highly anticipated summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. 

The talks aim to underscore the risks of sidelining Kyiv’s interests in the pursuit of a ceasefire, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media.

According to Serhiy Nykyforov, Zelenskyy's press secretary, Zelenskyy will arrive in Berlin, Germany on August 13. There he will join a video conference with President Trump, leaders from Germany, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, the European Union, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The virtual conference will be hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Trump has suggested that both Kyiv and Moscow may need to cede territory to end the war, even as Russian forces occupy nearly one-fifth of Ukraine. European officials are concerned that the summit could result in far-reaching decisions that might pressure Ukraine into an unfavourable agreement.

“We are focusing now to ensure that it does not happen — engaging with U.S. partners and staying coordinated and united on the European side. Still a lot of time until Friday,” said a senior official from eastern Europe.

The White House has tempered expectations, describing the Alaska meeting as a “listening exercise.” 

Ukraine hopes the meeting will act as a partial European counterweight to the Trump-Putin summit. European leaders have voiced support for Trump’s peace efforts while stressing that no deal on Ukraine should proceed without Ukraine’s direct involvement.

Half a dozen senior European officials said that they see a real risk of a deal that could compromise European and Ukrainian security. A source familiar with U.S. internal deliberations noted that Trump could attempt a direct deal with Putin without consulting Ukraine or Europe, but cautioned that such a move would likely provoke issues with Kyiv and the EU.

Following the call, Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to meet European leaders separately online. Later in the day, a “coalition of the willing” group, working on plans to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, will convene virtually at 1430 GMT.

By Khagan Isayev