Zelensky's Potential Role in Upcoming Trump-Putin Summit Sparks Concerns Among European Leaders

The possibility of President Zelensky joining the Trump-Putin summit introduces uncertainty for European leaders who fear their interests are sidelined in peace talks.

With the world focused on the imminent Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, European leaders are grappling with the implications of their exclusion from discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine. Scheduled for Friday, the summit has ignited a diplomatic scramble, with Ukraine seeking to ensure its voice is heard amid fears that territorial concessions could reshape the region's borders.

Lord Simon McDonald, former head of the UK Foreign Office, cautions that Russia's demands at the meeting could be extravagant, potentially only appeased by Trump. Meanwhile, President Zelensky has made it clear he will not endorse any agreements that involve land concessions, highlighting that such compromises would only embolden Russian aggression rather than bring about peace.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas underscores the stakes, emphasizing that Zelensky's presence could signal success for the US, but without him, the validity of any proposals from the Kremlin remains questionable. The uncertainty around Zelensky's attendance complicates matters, as Trump hinted at the possibility but has yet to offer a definitive answer.

Brussels has witnessed renewed diplomatic activity as this summit draws near, with Kallas convening foreign ministers to advocate for an unequivocal ceasefire before any negotiations can commence. As new sanctions targeting Moscow are introduced, Kallas remains uncertain about Trump's land-swapping notion, echoing sentiments that rewarding aggression could lead to further global conflict.

Europe teeters on the edge of a pivotal moment, striving to rally around Ukraine while attempting to exert influence over the US-led peace process. Since Trump's return to office, European involvement in talks has been notably sidelined, a sentiment that Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski deems critical given the existential nature of the European security landscape.

In an attempt to facilitate discussion, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has orchestrated a remote meeting with Zelensky, Trump, and European leaders, hoping to secure a voice in the America's plans for addressing Russia's invasion. Still, many remain skeptical about whether a last-minute invitation for Europe to join the summit will materialize.

As Lord McDonald warns that the meeting may simply be a milestone without concrete outcomes, European leaders brace for a continued, protracted struggle within the context of a war that has already lasted more than three and a half years.