European leaders expressed cautious optimism after Donald Trump reportedly agreed that Ukraine must control any negotiations over its territory during pre-summit talks. The alignment emerged ahead of Trump’s critical meeting with Vladimir Putin, where European leaders seek to prevent territorial concessions to Russia.
**Who**
The key participants included U.S. President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and other European leaders. Diplomats and officials from these nations provided insights into the closed-door discussions.
**What**
Trump reportedly assured European leaders he would not negotiate Ukrainian territory during his upcoming summit with Vladimir Putin. According to German Chancellor Merz and French President Macron, Trump acknowledged that territorial decisions “cannot be negotiated” without Ukraine and “will only be negotiated by the president of Ukraine.” This marked a significant alignment with Europe’s stance after weeks of diplomatic efforts.
**When and Where**
The virtual meetings occurred on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Participants joined from Berlin (where Zelenskyy was physically present), Paris, London, and Washington. The discussions directly preceded Trump’s scheduled summit with Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15.
**Why**
European leaders initiated these talks amid concerns over Trump’s earlier comments about potential “land swapping” between Ukraine and Russia. They sought to prevent unilateral U.S.-Russia negotiations that might compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty. Chancellor Merz explicitly stated past negotiations had only escalated violence, emphasizing “this time it has to be different.”
**How**
European leaders presented Trump with five core principles: (1) Ukraine’s mandatory inclusion in all negotiations, (2) ceasefire before peace talks, (3) territorial discussions based on current frontlines without recognizing Russian claims, (4) security guarantees for Ukraine, and (5) coordinated transatlantic pressure on Russia. Macron later confirmed Trump “expressed” agreement on Ukraine’s territorial authority.
**Impact**
The alignment provides temporary relief to European allies who feared Trump might concede Ukrainian land. However, one official noted Trump “talked a lot about what he would do, but in a way that no one could say what exactly he was going to do,” reflecting persistent uncertainty. Zelenskyy warned that Putin was “bluffing” about military capabilities to pressure negotiations.
**What’s Next**
Attention now shifts to the Alaska summit, where Trump aims to prioritize a ceasefire. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at possible sanctions escalation if Putin fails to make concessions. European leaders will monitor whether Trump maintains this position during direct talks and whether security guarantees for Ukraine materialize.