Western powers have stated that any agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war must protect the security interests of Ukraine as well as Western countries. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission have made this statement as final preparations are underway for an important meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Before the Putin-Trump meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has secured the support of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Analysts believe that significant steps will be taken to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which has lasted for three years and six months, during the Putin-Trump meeting.
Ukraine believes that after discussions between Putin and Trump, Trump will pressure Ukraine to cede some of its territories to Russia. This is a concern for Zelenskyy and Western powers. Trump announced the important meeting with Putin on August 15th, at a time when he has been threatening to take harsh measures against Russia. Zelenskyy has not been invited to participate in the meeting held in Alaska, USA. However, a White House official said that Trump wants to extend that opportunity to Zelenskyy. Putin has said that it is too early to meet with Zelenskyy, and that Zelenskyy has not fulfilled the conditions he wants Ukraine to meet before such a meeting. Zelenskyy continues to call for further tightening of sanctions imposed by the US and Western powers against Russia.
After assuming office for a second term as US President on January 20th, Trump has begun efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump said that it might be reasonable for Ukraine to cede some of its territories to Russia to end the war that began in February 2022. Russia has taken has taken control of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, as well as some areas of Zaporizhzhia. Analysts believe Trump is referring to these areas. However, analysts also believe that Zelenskyy will not agree to cede these areas to Russia, and EU and NATO powers will also oppose this.
“The US has the power to force Russia to engage in serious negotiations. Any agreement with Russia and the US must involve Ukraine and the EU, because it concerns the security of not only Ukraine but the entire West,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top foreign policy advisor. EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet on August 11th to discuss the Putin-Trump meeting.
