 "Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday (August 15) – the first meeting between the leaders of Russia and the United States in years.")
Ahead of his summit with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump has had a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
Trump and Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday (August 15) – the first meeting between the leaders of Russia and the United States in years. Putin previously met Joe Biden in 2022.
The call comes in the backdrop of the White House reportedly pushing a ceasefire plan that involved Ukraine giving up the Donbas in exchange for a ceasefire. Zelenskyy has dismissed such a plan outright and European leaders have said that no talks about territory exchanging hands can occur without the involvement of Ukraine.
But what happened during the call? What do we know?
Let’s take a closer look
European leaders push Trump to clarify position
The European leaders during the call pushed Trump to clarify his position with Russia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said European nations doing everything possible to help set the agenda for the summit in Alaska.
Merz said Ukraine needed to be involved in peace talks and getting the ceasefire was a first step. He said the Europe and the US world have to exert even more pressure on Putin if there is no ceasefire agreement.
French President Emmanuel Macron said “any talks of territorial exchange must only be discussed with Ukraine”. Trump has previously said that the Russia and Ukraine could arrive at a piece deal via a land swap . Russia currently controls about 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory.
“The American will is to obtain a ceasefire,” Macron said. “The exchange with President Trump allowed him to declare his intentions for the meeting on the 15 August and allowed us to very clearly explain our expectations.”
Macron said that it is a “good thing” that Washington and Moscow are talking but added that Europe needs to be heard on issues that impact the entire continent.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the allies are united. AP “We have reiterated until there is a durable peace, we must maintain support for Ukraine,” Macron said “And by we, I mean Europeans and Americans.”
Macron said the leaders on the call are united and that the US president hopes to achieve a ceasefire. Macron says leaders were “very clear” that any decisions on territory can only be negotiated with Zelenskyy.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the call said “international borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal”. A spokesperson for Starmer after the call described his support for Ukraine as “unwavering”.
“All leaders agreed this week marks an important moment for the future of Ukraine". The spokesperson said the European leaders on the call thanked Trump for his “efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end to the ongoing bloodshed” Europe and the US will continue to work for a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” the statement added.
‘Putin is bluffing’
Zelenskyy, speaking to the media in the aftermath of the call, claimed the Russian president was bluffing. “Putin is bluffing, he’s trying to trying to push all over the front line", Zelenskyy said. He added that Russia is feigning that it can take over Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said he told Trump and European leaders that the Russian strongman doesn’t “want peace”.
He added that they completely understood his position. Zelenskyy said “there should be a ceasefire first, then security guarantees – real security guarantees”.
He added that Russia should be further sanctioned if it refuses to accept a ceasefire. “Trump supported us today”, the Ukrainian president said. He added that Ukraine is “very grateful to Germany" for its support.
Zelenskyy also individually thanked his allies including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Nato’s Mark Rutte, Italian President Giorgia Meloni, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Zelenskyy said leaders all over the world were united for the goal of peace in Ukraine. He said European allies spoke with “one voice towards one mission”.
He reiterated that there can be no peace deal without Kyiv. “Everything about Ukraine has to be discussed with Ukraine - we have to be part of the conversation”. Zelenskyy said Trump would reach out to him after the Putin meeting.
With inputs from agenciess