Amid an increase in diplomatic activity, President Trump is set to engage virtually with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and important European leaders before his planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The purpose of these pre-summit discussions is to highlight Ukraine’s vital importance in any peace process and to strengthen Western support before what Trump has called an exploratory “feel-out” meeting.
Based on various briefings, a virtual meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday that will include Trump, Zelenskyy, and various NATO and EU leaders—such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
- German authorities are arranging this diplomatic collaboration to strengthen mutual goals ahead of the Alaska summit.
- These negotiations will emphasize non-negotiable principles: a ceasefire must precede peace, territorial exchanges should be fair, and Ukraine’s sovereignty must remain central in conversations. European diplomats are especially concerned about Trump’s previous suggestions regarding territory swaps, cautioning that these proposals could validate appropriated land.
President Zelenskyy, addressing an audience in Berlin, reaffirmed Ukraine’s stance on not conceding more territory, stating that discussions should occur only after hostilities cease and be accompanied by robust security guarantees.
- European allies emphasized this view, supporting Ukraine’s involvement in every procedural phase and opposing the notion of a deal without Ukraine’s input.
- Trump, on his side, stays careful in demeanor. He characterized the forthcoming meeting with Putin as based on curiosity—“a feel-out meeting”—and indicated plans to consult with Ukraine and Europe afterward. He mentioned that a future Tri-lateral meeting involving Putin and Zelenskyy might occur, but he did not fully commit to that arrangement
- European officials cautiously appreciated the engagement but doubt its authenticity, fearing it may be mere symbolic gestures instead of meaningful alignment. They stay alert to any result that could solidify Russian advantages or eliminate Ukraine’s rights without explicit Ukrainian approval.
- These diplomatic efforts occur amidst a backdrop of escalating conflict.Russian forces are restructuring for new offensives as European capitals demand renewed sanctions and coordinated pressure on Moscow.
- In this scenario, Trump’s conversations with allies are viewed as both a symbol of inclusivity and a calculated effort to influence perceptions before the critical summit.
Russia “unsuccessfully” trying to break through defenses in eastern Kupiansk, Ukrainian military says
We’re also hearing today how Russian forces are “unsuccessfully attempting to penetrate and establish a foothold” in the northeastern city of Kupiansk, according to the Ukrainian military, as Russia continues its battlefield push ahead of the planned meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska.
- Ukraine’s Dnipro group of forces said in a statement today that it had “neutralized” those attempts at advancement in Kupiansk.
- Kupiansk is a key city that sits on the crossroads of two major supply roads and is home to a railway hub and logistics infrastructure. Pushing into Kupiansk would enable Russia to move further into the Kharkiv region.
- It comes a day after the Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState reported that Russian forces are making a push towards Dobropillia, which is near the key strategic city of Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian officials conceded yesterday their defenses near Dobropillia had been infiltrated by clusters of Russian forces, but stressed that this involved small numbers of troops and did not mean Russia had taken control of territory.
- DeepState reported further Russian advances in the Donetsk region town of Nykanorivka, which is in the same area as Dobropillia, as well as advances in two villages south of Kostiantynivka.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Moscow was trying to create the distorted perception “that Russia is moving forward, advancing, and Ukraine is losing” ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting on Friday.
- At the same time, Zelensky said Russia is “preparing for an offensive operation, we believe, in three directions. The main directions are Zaporizhzhia, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivka.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky arrives in Berlin for talks with Trump and EU leaders
We’re hearing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Berlin for Wednesday’s virtual summit with European leaders and US President Donald Trump.
Although many leaders, including Trump, will join via video conference, Zelensky has traveled to the German capital for the summit and will give a statement alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz following the talks.
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