The EU and NATO Support Zelenskyy to Attend the "Putin-Trump" Meeting

As the Russia-US summit is about to take place, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Sunday (0810) received diplomatic support from Europe and NATO, striving to secure a place for Ukraine in the talks. Kyiv is concerned that Russian President Putin and US President Trump may attempt to directly set the conditions for ending the war that has lasted for three and a half years. German Chancellor Merkel said on Sunday that he hopes Zelenskyy will participate in the Russia-US summit.

Reuters reported that Merkel said during an interview with the German public broadcasting alliance (ARD) on Sunday that he would speak with US President Trump on Sunday. Merkel said, "We are working intensively with the US government at the European level for this meeting."

He said, "We hope and believe that the Ukrainian government and President Zelenskyy will participate in this meeting."

Reuters reported that Trump announced on Friday that he will meet with Putin on August 15 in Alaska. White House officials said that Trump is "open to" Zelenskyy attending the meeting, but currently only preparing for the bilateral meeting between Putin and Trump. Putin said last week that he would not meet with Zelenskyy, saying that the relevant conditions are "far from mature."

Trump previously stated that a potential agreement could involve "territorial exchange" to "benefit both sides," which increased Ukraine's concerns about being forced to cede land. Zelenskyy emphasized that any decision not involving Ukraine would be "stillborn" and unenforceable.

On Saturday, leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission issued a joint statement that any diplomatic solution must ensure Ukraine and European security interests. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced on Sunday that EU foreign ministers will meet on Monday to discuss the next steps.

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg told ABC News that the summit this Friday will "test Putin's sincerity in ending the war" and involve security guarantees, but it must acknowledge "Ukraine's right to decide its own future and must be a sovereign state making autonomous geopolitical choices." Currently, Russia controls nearly one-fifth of Ukraine's territory. Stoltenberg pointed out that the agreement cannot legally recognize Russia's sovereignty over Ukrainian territory, but there might be de facto recognition, which he compared to the U.S. stance after World War II regarding the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states - de facto recognition without legal acknowledgment.

Zelenskyy said on Sunday: "The end of the war must be just." He thanked everyone who stands with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. A European official revealed that Europe has drafted a "counter-proposal" to Trump's plan but did not disclose details. The Russian side accused Europe of trying to hinder Trump's efforts to end the war.

In addition to Crimea, annexed in 2014, Russia has formally claimed sovereignty over four areas - Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye, although the latter three are under approximately 70% control. Russia also occupies parts of three other regions of Ukraine, while Ukraine claims to have control over a small area of the Russian Kursk region. Pro-Russian analyst Sergey Markov speculated that territorial exchanges could involve Russia giving up 1,500 square kilometers and gaining 7,000 square kilometers from Ukraine, but no evidence was provided. Western military analysts pointed out that Russian forces advanced about 500 square kilometers in July, but at a high cost in casualties.

Ukrainian and European allies have been concerned for months that Trump, seeking to "create peace" and pursue economic cooperation between the US and Russia, may collaborate with Putin to reach an agreement extremely unfavorable to Kyiv. Despite recent public criticism of Putin after Russian air raids on Kyiv and other cities, the approaching "Putin-Trump" meeting still worries Kyiv and Europe about being sidelined.

Professor Philip O'Brien of the University of St Andrews in Scotland warned: "The outcome of the Alaska meeting will almost certainly be a disaster for Ukraine and Europe. Ukraine will face the worst dilemma: to accept this humiliating and destructive agreement or to fight alone without certainty of European support?"

Ukrainian political analyst Fesenko pointed out that maintaining a consistent position with Europe is key for Ukraine to address the risk of being excluded. "For us, the current common position with Europeans is the most important resource."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840109925287948/

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