Before meeting with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump made it clear that the two will not conclude an agreement on the Ukraine War. “I will not do a deal,” he said at a press conference in Washington and pointed out that this was not his job. Trump added that he would like to see a ceasefire. “I want to see the best deal that can be achieved for both sides.”
On Friday, Trump and Putin in the US state of Alaska want to negotiate a possible peace solution in the Russian attack war, which has been lasting for around three and a half years. Trump represents the meeting in Alaska as an attempt to get closer to the end of the fights. In this context, he spoke of a possible exchange of territory between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine strictly rejects territories.
Trump also announced that the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj as well as European heads of state and government after the Alaska summit immediately inform about the conversation with Putin.
Preparations for Alaska summit
Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz is trying to find a common line between Europeans and US President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, on the initiative of the Chancellor, European heads of state and government are advised with Selenskyj and Trump.
The video conference should be about how pressure on Russia can be built up. “In addition, the preparation of possible peace negotiations and the associated questions about territorial claims and collateral should be spoken of,” said government spokesman Stefan Kornelius in Berlin.
To prepare for the conversation with Trump, a virtual meeting of Merz with the heads of state and government from France, Great Britain, Italy, Poland and Finland is also planned, in which EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte and Selenskyj are also to take part. After the consultations with Trump, consultations of European state and government heads are planned again.
A spokeswoman for the EU Commission confirmed that the Leyen participates in the advice of European heads of government with Trump. The conversations would be organized by Merz. According to the Élysée Palace, France’s President Emmanuel Macron is also part of the talks with Trump. Accordingly, it is a common initiative by Macron, Merz and the British Premier Keir Straiter.
Ukraine participate in peace solution
The Federal Government emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s participation in every peace solution. At the same time, this could “be a very, very important moment for the further course of this terrible war,” said deputy government spokesman Steffen Meyer.
At statements by Merz, who explained in the ARD, he referred to the fact that the Ukrainians would be involved. The spokesman said: “Because if the goal is to really achieve a sustainable and just peace, then this is only conceivable with Ukraine. It is completely impossible to achieve this goal across the heads of the Ukrainians.”
Possible regional custody?
Trump brought the exchange of areas into play again. He said there would be changes in the country. “We will postpone the front lines,” said the US President without more precise details. One will try to regain part of Ukraine.
At the same time, Trump criticized Selenskyj. He got on with him, but he did not agree with his approach. Moscow recently called for a peaceful solution to the conflict, among other things, a waiver of Ukraine on NATO accession and the assignment of the areas annexed by Russia. The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj rejects the waiver of the Black Sea Peninsula Crimea, which was already annexed by Russia in 2014 and the areas of Luhansk, Donetsk, Saporischschja and Cherson, which are partly controlled by Moscow, categorically, but so far, with reference to the constitution.
Trump said he had disturbed him a little that Selenskyj refers to the constitution in the matter, but also received the approval of “waging war and killing everyone”.
Russia had started the war against Ukraine around three and a half years ago.
NATO Secretary General Rutte had emphasized that Ukraine was a sovereign state that determines its geopolitical future. But he also said to the US broadcaster ABC: “At the moment we have to note that Russia controls part of the Ukrainian territory.” After a ceasefire, the question will arise as to how it will go on in territorial questions and with a view to possible security guarantees for Ukraine.
After a video conference of the EU Foreign Minister, the EU foreign representative Kaja Kallas emphasized: “As long as Russia has not approved a complete and unconditional ceasefire, we should not even discuss any concessions.” A ceasefire must be monitored strictly and “iron security guarantees” is needed. In addition, Kallas announced a new EU sanction package against Russia. It would be the 19th package with punitive measures against Moscow. She did not give any details of the planned sanctions.
Selenskyj: will defend our independence
The Ukrainian President Selenskyj indirectly underlined that he will not accept a deal to exchange territory. “We will definitely defend our country and our independence,” he emphasized. And everything that affects Ukraine must be decided with the participation of Ukraine.
In the meeting on Friday, the Ukrainian President sees a new attempt to deceive Moscow. “We understand the intentions of the Russians to deceive America – we won’t allow that,” said Selenskyj. He appreciates Trump’s determination to end the war.
Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin is “definitely not” preparing for an armistice, said Selenskyj in his evening video address. He was only determined to “present the meeting with US President Donald Trump as his personal victory and continue to act as he has acted so far”.
Meeting without Ukraine
Selenskyj is not invited to Alaska. However, the US Nato ambassador does not rule out an invitation to Selenskyj for the meeting. “I think it is quite possible,” Matthew Whitaker told CNN. The decision is made by US President Trump.
Trump himself promised a meeting of Selenskyj and Putin: “The next meeting will be with Selenskyj and Putin, or with Selenskyj, Putin and me.” The US President offered that he wanted to be added if he was needed at a meeting of the two.
