Trump to Meet with European and Ukrainian Leaders Ahead of Putin Summit

Strategic Insights -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin for video calls with other European leaders and US President Donald Trump, ahead of a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The calls aim to warn Trump not to compromise Kyiv's interests in the ceasefire deal. European and Ukrainian leaders are concerned that Trump may pressure Ukraine into a bad deal, as he has suggested both sides should give up some territory to end the war.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will attend a trio of video calls with German Chancellor Merz, US President Trump, and European leaders.
  • Zelenskyy's spokesperson stated that a bilateral meeting with Merz is also planned.
  • The meeting comes two days before Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
  • Merz has invited Zelenskyy, along with leaders from France, the UK, and other EU and NATO officials, to join the call ahead of the talks with Trump.
  • The talks will focus on increasing pressure on Russia and preparing for potential peace negotiations.
  • EU leaders have reaffirmed Ukraine's right to self-determination and rejected any changes to borders by force.
  • Zelenskyy has ruled out withdrawing troops from the Donbas region.
  • Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to deepen cooperation during a phone call, with Kim promising to "fully support all measures to be taken by the Russian leadership in the future."
  • North Korea has deployed an estimated 10,000 troops to support Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
  • Trump's meeting with Putin is described as a "listening session," but European and NATO leaders fear Putin's peace proposals heavily favor Russia.

Statistics:

  • The meeting comes two days before Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 13.
  • Russian President Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had a phone call on Tuesday, August 11.
  • North Korea has deployed an estimated 10,000 troops to support Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
  • EU leaders have reaffirmed Ukraine's right to self-determination and rejected any changes to borders by force.

Sources:

  • DW: "Zelenskyy to travel to Berlin for virtual meetings"
  • Merz's office: "Wednesday's discussions will focus on increasing pressure on Russia and preparing for potential peace negotiations"
  • KCNA: "North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to fully support all measures to be taken by the Russian leadership in the future"
  • White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt: "President Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is a listening session"