The planned meeting at the White House on the 18th of August may prove to be more important for the future of Ukraine and the security of all of Europe than the theatrical meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, the BBC reports.
On the surface, the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, was as expected. No ceasefire, no sanctions, no major announcements. Will Ukraine and Europe be faced with a deal made behind closed doors? If they can prevent such a situation, apparently not.
On the 18th of August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be joined by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders at the White House, ensuring that Zelensky does not experience a similar situation to that in late February, when Trump and US Vice President J.D. Vance tried to humiliate him.
The Europeans are determined to pressure Trump on two issues. First, the issue of peace cannot be resolved without Ukraine’s involvement; second, it must be backed by solid security guarantees for the war-torn country.
Above all, however, Europe wants to show that it stands united with Ukraine,
and its leaders want to ensure that Trump does not allow Putin to coerce him and submit to Russia’s demands.
The meeting will certainly test Starmer’s diplomatic skills. Trump likes the British Prime Minister, and he listens to Starmer. Trump will also visit the UK on a state visit in the coming month. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is sometimes called Trump’s whisperer will also be there on the 18th of August.
At the same time, Trump is much less fond of Macron, and the White House has sharply criticized France’s decision to recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September.
To achieve peace in Ukraine, something will have to be sacrificed. European leaders have often and repeatedly said that international borders should not be changed by force. Zelensky tirelessly says that Ukraine will not give up its land to the occupiers, and that the country’s constitution forbids this. Meanwhile, Putin wants to completely take over the Donbas region, which the Russians currently occupy by 85%, and has no intention of even returning the annexed Crimea.
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, told the BBC that victory in Ukraine is not just about redistributing territory. If Ukraine could obtain the security guarantees that NATO countries are given under the so-called Article 5, that alone could be enough to deter future Russian aggression and protect Ukraine’s freedom and independence. That too would be a victory in its own way.
Read also: Meeting in Alaska – Trump and Putin each have their own plans
Read also: Lavrov arrives in Alaska; outfit speaks of longing for the USSR