Europe is wary of the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, fearing it could lead to unfavorable outcomes. This concern is fueled by a perceived clash of interests between Trump and European nations. The meeting in Alaska could jeopardize both Ukraine and Europe. To address these concerns, Europe is preparing for a series of high-level discussions. The European position is that Ukraine should have the autonomy to negotiate with Russia and that Ukraine’s sovereignty must be protected. If Trump accepts Putin’s conditions, the EU is prepared to continue supporting Ukraine’s efforts in the war. This situation presents a risk of escalating the conflict rather than achieving a ceasefire.
Over the course of the three-year war, Russia has seized a substantial amount of Ukrainian territory. As of July 22nd, Russia controls approximately 115,440 square kilometers of Ukrainian land. There is a growing belief that Trump might be willing to accept Putin’s terms, potentially pressuring Ukraine to surrender some of its land. This has caused worry within Europe. European countries insist that Ukraine has the right to negotiate with Russia, that Zelensky should be involved in the talks, that Ukraine’s sovereignty should not be violated, and that a ceasefire should not be imposed. Trump, however, has indicated that including Zelensky in the meeting is not necessary.