Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is joining European leaders in talks aimed at increasing pressure on US President Donald Trump to side with Ukraine during Friday’s summit with his Russian counterpart in Alaska.
In an online call with Trump on Wednesday, the leaders are expected to reiterate that no decisions should be taken without Ukraine, including changing its borders by force.
Trump has said any peace deal would involve “some swapping of territories” and it is believed one of Vladimir Putin’s demands is that Kyiv surrenders the parts of the eastern Donbas area it still controls.
On Tuesday, Zelensky said such a concession could be used as a springboard for future attacks by Russia.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
A Russian summer offensive has been progressing with troops making a sudden thrust near the eastern town of Dobropillya and advancing 10km (six miles) in a short period of time.
While downplaying Russia’s advance, Zelensky said it was “clear to us” that Moscow’s objective was to create a “certain information space” before Putin meets Trump that “Russia is moving forward, advancing, while Ukraine is losing”.
No official details have emerged on what demands Putin could make when he meets Trump in Anchorage on Friday.
However, there has been concern among Ukraine’s European allies about the possibility of Trump agreeing to Putin’s demands.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called Wednesday’s meeting and Zelensky is travelling to Berlin to join him for the video call with other European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, before the call with Trump.
Zelensky has previously insisted that Ukrainians would not “gift their land to the occupier”, and pointed to the country’s constitution, which requires a referendum before a change in its territory
