BERLIN/KYIV, Aug 13 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for a critical online meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, just two days before Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The German-hosted conference is being seen as a key moment for Kyiv and its allies to ensure that Ukraine’s voice remains central in any potential negotiations regarding the ongoing war.
The upcoming Alaska summit will be the first official meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents since 2021. European officials worry that choices affecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and safety might be made without Kyiv having a seat at the table. Their message to Washington has been clear — no agreement about Ukraine should happen without Ukraine at the table.
Trump has described the Alaska talks as a preliminary “feel-out” session to explore a possible ceasefire, but his recent comments suggesting there could be “some swapping of territories” have raised alarms in both Kyiv and across Europe. Such remarks have intensified concerns that Ukraine might be pressured into an unfavorable peace deal.
Concerns Over a Potentially Unfavorable Deal
Before the group call, Zelenskiy met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss strategy and coordination. The virtual meeting with the leaders of Germany, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and the European Union was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Eastern Time, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also in attendance. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were set to join the discussion an hour later, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.
European leaders are walking a fine line. While they publicly welcome Washington’s efforts to seek peace, they remain wary of the possibility that a deal could sideline Ukraine or result in territorial compromises. A senior official from Eastern Europe stressed that the priority at the moment is to block any deal that could weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty. “We are working closely with our American partners and maintaining a united European stance. There is still time to influence the process before Friday’s summit,” the official said.
The White House has sought to manage expectations, characterizing the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting as a “listening exercise” rather than a session where major breakthroughs are expected. Still, the shift in tone is notable. Only a few weeks earlier, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Moscow for not participating more actively in U.S.-driven peace initiatives. Now, his decision to meet Putin represents a sharp change in approach, coming after he said his envoy had made “great progress” in Moscow.
Several European diplomats privately acknowledge that they see a real risk of an agreement being reached that does not fully safeguard Ukraine’s long-term security. If such an outcome appears likely, they believe European unity will be essential in responding to it. Following the online meeting with Trump, the so-called “coalition of the willing” — a group of nations preparing to support Ukraine if a ceasefire occurs — will also gather virtually to discuss contingency plans.
Ukraine Stands Firm on Territorial Red Lines
The situation within Ukraine’s borders continues to be highly tense. Russian forces have been intensifying pressure in eastern regions, particularly around the cities of Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka. These areas are critical for Ukraine’s defensive operations and losing them could further tilt the balance in Russia’s favor.
Zelenskiy has made it clear that Kyiv will not agree to any deal that forces its troops to withdraw from the Donbas region, much of which is currently under Russian occupation. He warned that giving up this defensive stronghold would open the door to future Russian advances deeper into Ukrainian territory. “This is not just about today’s battlefield. It’s about the security of our nation for years to come,” Zelenskiy told reporters on Tuesday.
Public opinion in Ukraine reflects the difficult balancing act the government faces. Nearly 70% Ukrainians now back ending the conflict through negotiations as quickly as possible, according to the latest polling. However, the same polls show that most citizens oppose a peace deal that involves major concessions, especially when it comes to territorial integrity.
Zelenskiy has argued that any discussion of borders or territorial adjustments should only take place after a full ceasefire is in effect and Ukraine has secured reliable international security guarantees. Without these conditions, he believes any settlement would be short-lived and could collapse under renewed Russian aggression.