Europeans seek common ground with US President Trump for peace talks on the Ukraine war
Berlin (dpa) – Before the meeting of US President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders are seeking a common line with the US government. The European heads of state and government want to speak with Trump and his Vice President JD Vance in a video conference on Wednesday at the initiative of Merz, together with Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Zelenskyy.
Before the conversation with Trump, the Europeans want to consult among themselves in a call with the EU and NATO, as well as Zelenskyy. Following the video conference with the US President, the Europeans want to discuss the results among themselves.
Europeans fear being sidelined
The Europeans fear that Trump and Putin could finalize territorial concessions from Ukraine to Russia that were rejected by Kyiv during their meeting on Friday in the US state of Alaska. Trump presents the planned meeting as an attempt to come closer to ending the fighting that has lasted for about three and a half years. In this context, he spoke of a possible land swap between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine strictly rejects territorial concessions.
The German government had stated that the discussions should focus on further options for action to exert pressure on Moscow. In addition, there should be discussions about the preparation of possible peace negotiations and related questions regarding territorial claims and security.
EU and NATO included in discussions
In the consultations before the conversation with Trump, in addition to Merz, the heads of state and government from France, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, and Finland, as well as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Zelenskyy are to participate. (August 12/13)
