Virtual Summit Led by German Chancellor
Likely to Discuss Ukraine's Territorial Integrity and Security Guarantees
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a virtual summit with Ukrainian and European leaders on the 13th (local time), two days before his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
According to AFP and other sources, a German government spokesperson announced on the 11th that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is planning a virtual summit on the Ukraine war with President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and other European leaders. The German government explained that a series of virtual meetings will take place on the 13th, including a session at 3 p.m. with President Zelensky, President Trump, and Vice President JD Vance.
From Europe, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Chancellor Merz are expected to attend. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is also expected to participate. The European Commission stated, "President von der Leyen will join a virtual summit with President Zelensky, President Trump, and EU leaders on Wednesday (the 13th), hosted by Chancellor Merz." The Elys?e Palace also confirmed that President Macron, Prime Minister Starmer, and Chancellor Merz will attend the meeting.
This will be the first conversation between President Zelensky and President Trump since Trump announced that he would hold a bilateral summit with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on the 15th. The virtual summit, arranged just two days before the U.S.-Russia summit, is expected to see President Zelensky and European leaders attempt to persuade President Trump on the need to guarantee Ukraine's territorial integrity and security, as well as the necessity of maintaining pressure on Russia.
Ukraine and Europe are concerned that President Trump may accept President Putin's unilateral and disadvantageous demands for Ukraine during the U.S.-Russia summit. For this reason, Ukraine and Europe are demanding to participate in all negotiations with Russia.
The German government stated that, in addition to the summit among U.S., European, and Ukrainian leaders, a series of virtual meetings will be held. European leaders and NATO officials will coordinate their positions in advance of the meeting with President Trump. According to the German Chancellery, Chancellor Merz will speak on the 13th with the leaders of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Poland, Finland, the NATO Secretary General, and the President of the European Commission.
A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister's Office, responding to questions about the U.S.-Russia summit at a press briefing, said, "We will never, under any circumstances, trust President Putin," and added, "However, as we enter into negotiations with Russia, we will support Ukraine, President Trump, and European countries." The spokesperson continued, "Peace must be built with Ukraine, not imposed upon it," emphasizing, "We will never reward aggression or violations of sovereignty."
Antonio Tajani, Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in a phone call with other European foreign ministers, "We support President Trump's efforts and see progress," adding, "Any diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its freedom to choose its own future, including the path to EU membership."
Europe and Ukraine are particularly wary of any concession of Ukrainian territory as a condition for a ceasefire. President Trump has mentioned a possible 'territorial exchange' between Russia and Ukraine, but Ukraine maintains that it cannot cede any territory. Russia currently occupies one-fifth of Ukrainian territory and claims it as Russian land, while Ukraine has barely occupied any Russian territory, making the meaning of the 'exchange' mentioned by President Trump unclear. This has led to speculation that it could mean a comprehensive territorial concession by Ukraine, i.e., exchanging occupied and non-occupied lands.
European leaders emphasize that forcing Ukraine to cede territory would set a dangerous precedent, reiterating the fundamental principle that "internationally recognized borders cannot be changed by force." An official from the European Commission stated, "Regarding the territorial issue, Russia's position appears to be a 'territorial exchange,' which is unilateral." The official added, "The strongest security guarantee for Ukraine is to place no restrictions on support for Ukraine from the Ukrainian military and third countries."
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