European Leaders Urge Trump to Reject Unilateral Ukraine Peace Deal with Putin Amid Fears of Russian Influence and Escalating Conflict

International leaders urged President Donald Trump on Wednesday to avoid reaching a unilateral peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine during their scheduled meeting later this week in Alaska.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened a virtual summit with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and several European leaders as concerns rose that Putin might attempt to influence the US president’s perspective on the war.

Trump described the call as positive, stating that if their meeting with Putin is successful, a subsequent meeting between the Russian president and Zelensky could take place immediately thereafter.

“There’s a good chance that we will have a second meeting which will be more productive than the first,” said Trump during an appearance at the Kennedy Center. “The first meeting is about finding out where we are, what we’re doing.”

Two diplomatic sources familiar with the virtual meeting informed CNN that Trump seemed to express his intent to push for an unconditional ceasefire in his discussion with Putin.

Trump believed that a ceasefire would demonstrate goodwill from Russia, and he also stated that the Ukrainian territory is not within his jurisdiction to negotiate, according to the sources.

The leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, NATO, and the European Union participated in the virtual meeting with Trump. This was followed by another larger gathering of the “Coalition of the Willing,” which included US Vice President JD Vance.

Following the meetings, Zelensky stated that leaders agreed on “five common principles” to establish the “framework for negotiations” to be held in Alaska. These included a focus on a ceasefire and “reliable” security guarantees.

“Everything concerning Ukraine must be discussed exclusively with Ukraine,” said Zelensky. “We must prepare a trilateral format for talks. There must be a ceasefire – that is the first priority.”

He added: “There must be security guarantees – truly reliable ones. And today, President Trump spoke of his support for this and America’s readiness to participate.”

“Russia cannot have veto power over Ukraine’s European and NATO aspirations,” he said. “Peace talks must be accompanied by appropriate pressure on Russia.”

Zelensky also urged the strengthening of sanctions against Russia if no ceasefire agreement is reached this Friday.

Merz stated during a press conference following the virtual meeting that “it was made clear that Ukraine must be present at the next meeting.” He added: “We want things to proceed in the correct sequence: A ceasefire should be established first, followed by a framework agreement being drawn up.”

Zelensky reported that Trump supported Europe’s demand for an initial ceasefire before negotiations leading to a full settlement, and threatened fresh sanctions against Russia if Putin leaves Alaska without agreeing to a ceasefire.

Although Trump stated bluntly on Monday that “there will be some land swapping,” Merz emphasized that the legal recognition of Ukrainian territory is not up for discussion.

During a meeting in Moscow last week with Witkoff, Putin proposed a plan that would require Ukraine to cede the eastern Donbas region, most of which is occupied, in exchange for a ceasefire, according to US officials. The specific details of this plan have been shrouded in confusion since its initial reports.

Last week, Trump gave Putin until August 8 to agree to a ceasefire or face new sanctions on its “shadow fleet,” which has enabled Moscow to bypass sanctions on oil exports and fund the war. After the deadline passed without incident, Trump announced the summit with Putin this Friday.

Putin has long sought to downplay the impact of sanctions. However, Zelensky stated Wednesday that the Russian leader was bluffing. “Sanctions are seriously affecting Russia’s war economy,” he said after speaking with Trump. “Putin can’t deceive anyone.”

A European official familiar with the call suggested that the “threat of secondary sanctions against Russia” may arise if the upcoming Alaska talks prove fruitless.

It was noted that “the India sanctions had an impact,” referring to Trump’s promise of imposing a 25% additional tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil. This tariff is expected to take effect in the coming weeks.

Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, stated that Zelensky is urging Trump to use the “leverage” he holds over Russia.

“The key issue is the leverage that President Trump allegedly possesses,” said Gabuev. “This could be either additional economic sanctions (against Russia), or increased military support for Ukraine.” He added: “That’s where President Zelensky hopes to find optimism that the Russian economy is struggling.”

However, Ukraine itself faces its own pressures, as small groups of Russian troops have breached sections of Ukraine’s increasingly porous front lines in the eastern Donetsk region, causing alarm among Ukrainian officials and military bloggers. If Russia’s economy is faltering, so too is Ukraine’s defense line, according to Gabuev.

“The timeline here is crucial,” he added. “Putin believes that he has another 12 to 18 months, while Ukraine does not.”