Alaska summit: Europe allies urge Trump not to deal with Putin without Ukraine
As Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump prepare for a surprise summit in Alaska this Friday, European leaders are growing increasingly uneasy. Many fear the meeting could reshape Ukraine’s future — and Europe’s role — without their input.
One European diplomat summed it up bluntly: “We are at risk of being a footnote in history.”
The concern stems from how little is known about what Putin is proposing to end the war in Ukraine. Neither the Kremlin nor US envoys have revealed details. After his team returned from Moscow, Trump hinted at possible “swapping of territories,” calling it “to the betterment of both” — a phrase European officials see as wishful thinking.
Europe Fears Concessions to Putin
Leaders in Paris, Berlin, and London believe Putin hasn’t backed down from his core demands: keeping Ukraine militarily weak, denying it security guarantees, and forcing it to surrender occupied areas. They stress that international borders must never be changed by force, a stance reaffirmed in a joint statement by the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the EU, Poland, and Finland.
Think-tank analysts warn that one likely Russian demand is for Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining cities it holds in Donetsk — including Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, and Kostyantynivka. Military experts say losing this “fortress belt” would leave Ukraine dangerously exposed to future attacks.
Some fear history could repeat itself, drawing parallels to the 1938 Munich Agreement, when Britain’s Neville Chamberlain ceded territory to Adolf Hitler, only to see further invasions.
Unanswered Questions Before the Summit
Key uncertainties remain:
- Will Putin also demand full control of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia?
- Will Crimea’s status be on the table?
- Will there be any role for European peacekeeping forces — and will Russia accept them?
Ukraine’s constitution forbids giving up territory, and President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed such concessions outright. EU leaders insist any talks must start from current frontlines, with strong security guarantees for Ukraine.
Europe’s Limited Influence
Despite united statements, many fear Europe will have little say in Alaska. Analysts note that since Trump’s return to office, European leaders have been reacting to his unpredictable moves rather than shaping events.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that “any deal between the US and Russia must include Ukraine and the EU.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed this, warning that no territorial decisions should be made over Europe’s head.
But with the US reportedly lacking a clear Ukraine strategy — and Trump focused on a possible Nobel Peace Prize — Europe is bracing for decisions that could redefine its security landscape without its consent.
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