In front of the summit
In front of Alaska summit: Trump does not expect a agreement with Putin
In Alaska, US President Trump and Russian President Putin meet on Friday and negotiate an end to the Ukraine War. But the Europeans want to have a say.
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?
NATO Secretary General Rutte emphasized that Ukraine was a sovereign state that determines his geopolitical future himself. 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.
The EU foreign commissioner Kaja Kallas announced in front of a special meeting: “Europe’s core interests are at stake.” She emphasized that every agreement between the United States and Russia must include Ukraine and the EU, “because it is about the security of Ukraine and all of Europe”. Russia’s aggression should not be rewarded – the areas temporarily occupied by Russian were part of Ukraine.
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. Nevertheless, the only reason for the continued killing in Ukraine is Putin’s wish to wage war “and to manipulate everyone with whom he comes into contact”.
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.
dpa
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
