U.S. President Donald Trump is set to hold a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on the 15th (local time), while the European Union (EU) continues to show discomfort. After concluding a virtual meeting of EU foreign ministers on the 11th, an additional virtual meeting will be held on the 13th to convey Europe and Ukraine's positions directly to President Trump.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 11th (local time), the EU plans to hold an emergency virtual meeting at 3 p.m. on the 13th based on Berlin, Germany. Participants will include representatives from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Finland, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the EU, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Trump, who have also been invited.
At this meeting, the leaders of various countries plan to emphasize uncompromising 'red lines' regarding the peace negotiations for the Russia-Ukraine war to President Trump. Specifically, these include: ▲ a ceasefire is a prerequisite for negotiations; ▲ territorial exchange must be mutual and based on current front lines; and ▲ long-term security guarantees for Ukraine are essential.
Moreover, they plan to persuade President Trump to allow the EU and President Zelensky to attend the Alaska summit on the 15th. Earlier, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that President Zelensky would not attend the U.S.-Russia summit, but reports have since indicated that the White House is considering inviting Zelensky as well.
President Putin has refused direct talks with President Zelensky, but Zelensky maintains that face-to-face meetings between leaders are essential for a peace agreement.
The EU appears to be doing everything possible to prevent President Trump from swiftly accepting Putin's demands and concluding negotiations. President Putin has demanded the transfer of some territory in exchange for a ceasefire, and currently, Russian forces occupy about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
In fact, Europe considers the Ukraine war to be directly related to its own security. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently stated in an interview with a public broadcaster, "It is unacceptable for Europeans and Ukrainians to be sidelined while Russia and the United States discuss or decide territorial issues."
Earlier, Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also stated in a release immediately after concluding the virtual meeting of foreign ministers on the 11th, "It is important to maintain unity across the Atlantic, and we will not even consider any concessions as long as Russia does not agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire."
Meanwhile, President Trump views the Alaska summit on the 15th as a sort of 'exploratory operation.' He stated, "Now is the time to see the conditions," and added that he might "wish them luck" and leave the meeting immediately.