European Union leaders are pressing U.S. President Donald Trump to prioritize Europe's security interests during his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will focus on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The EU, largely excluded from the planned Friday meeting, is eager to influence its outcome, especially as it's unclear if Ukraine itself will be involved. Trump has said he wants to gauge whether Putin is genuinely interested in ending the war, now in its fourth year.
However, Trump has drawn criticism from European allies by suggesting Ukraine may have to cede Russian-occupied territory, and that Russia should accept land swaps—though he hasn't clarified what concessions Putin would need to make.
This has raised alarm in both Ukraine and across Europe, where there's concern that any peace deal made without their input could favor Russia and embolden further aggression. Putin, having launched the largest land war in Europe since World War II and used energy exports to pressure the EU, may emerge with significant gains if not firmly challenged.
EU leaders issued a statement Tuesday acknowledging Trump’s efforts to end the war but insisted that peace in Ukraine “cannot be decided without Ukraine’s involvement.” They emphasized that a lasting and just peace must uphold international law, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected proposals that require Ukraine to give up territory in exchange for a ceasefire. Russia currently maintains a shaky hold over four Ukrainian regions—two in the east and two in the south.
Meanwhile, tensions on the ground remain high. A Russian missile strike hit a Ukrainian military training site, killing one soldier and injuring 11 others. Cluster munitions were reportedly used as troops rushed to shelters.
Russia also appears close to capturing the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Analysts say the next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial, as losing the city would give Russia a significant victory just before the summit and threaten Ukrainian supply lines in the area.
“The situation will hinge heavily on Ukraine’s available reserves,” said Pasi Paroinen, a military analyst with Finland’s Black Bird Group, in a post on X.
On Monday, Trump reiterated that land swaps would be part of any peace process, calling it a compromise that would involve “bad stuff for both” sides. His relatively conciliatory stance toward Putin has alarmed Ukraine’s supporters, particularly as he criticized Zelenskyy for failing to achieve results during the war, while praising Putin’s long-standing grip on power.
There’s also confusion over the summit’s location. While Trump mentioned traveling to Russia, the meeting is actually set to take place in Alaska—a former Russian colony sold to the U.S. in 1867.
Ahead of the summit, EU leaders will make another attempt to persuade Trump to support Ukraine during virtual talks organized by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday. Trump hasn’t confirmed if he’ll attend but said he wants to hear different perspectives before meeting with Putin.
The EU's joint statement was intended to project unity, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán—Putin’s strongest ally in the bloc—refused to sign on, standing alone among the EU’s 27 leaders.