Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday called for a high-level trilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that no meaningful discussion about the future of Ukraine can exclude Kyiv. His appeal comes just two days before a planned summit between Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, which is drawing global attention as the war in Ukraine grinds into its fourth year.
Speaking during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, Zelensky emphasized that any negotiation or ceasefire agreement must directly involve Ukraine. “I would like to sit at the table with both Presidents Trump and Putin. Ukraine must not be sidelined in talks about its own fate,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader expressed hope that the central outcome of Friday’s Trump-Putin meeting would be an “immediate ceasefire” in Ukraine, warning of Russia’s continued aggression across the frontlines. “We hope the main topic will be a ceasefire. An immediate ceasefire,” Zelensky said. “If Russia refuses, further sanctions must be imposed and existing ones strengthened.”
A Flurry of Diplomacy Before the Alaska Summit
Zelensky’s visit to Germany coincided with a series of video consultations between European leaders and President Trump, as the West seeks to influence the agenda and outcomes of his upcoming dialogue with Putin. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the transatlantic talks as “very good,” emphasizing a united front among NATO allies.
“Today, Europe, the United States, and NATO have reinforced their shared position on Ukraine,” von der Leyen wrote on X. “We continue to coordinate closely. No one wants peace more than we do a just and lasting peace.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also weighed in following his call with Trump and other leaders, stressing the UK’s unwavering support for Kyiv. “Our support for Ukraine is unshakable,” Starmer said in a statement. “International borders must not be changed by force. Any peace agreement must include credible and robust security guarantees for Ukraine.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte echoed the sentiment, noting that Western allies are “united” in their efforts to end the war. “The ball is now in Putin’s court,” Rutte said, suggesting the outcome of the Alaska meeting would test Moscow’s true intentions.
Zelensky Warns Trump Against Being “Deceived”
In Berlin, Zelensky issued a cautionary message to President Trump, whom he warned not to fall for what he described as deceptive overtures from the Kremlin. “I have informed the U.S. President and our European colleagues: Putin is deceiving. He wants to create the illusion of peace while intensifying pressure on Ukrainian positions ahead of the summit,” he said.
According to Zelensky, recent Russian military maneuvers are designed to signal strength ahead of Friday’s talks, including attempts to regain territory and escalate offensives along multiple fronts. “Russia is trying to demonstrate its ability to occupy all of Ukraine. This is a political performance ahead of Alaska,” he added.
Kyiv Fears Exclusion from Future Peace Talks
Zelensky’s push for a trilateral format underscores a broader concern in Kyiv that Ukraine may be sidelined in major geopolitical negotiations, especially if Western powers pursue bilateral understandings with Moscow.
“Any sustainable peace must be agreed with Ukraine, not imposed on it,” Zelensky insisted. “We welcome diplomacy, but not deals made over our heads.”
As global attention turns to the Trump-Putin summit, analysts warn that the stakes could not be higher not just for the future of Ukraine, but for the credibility of international norms and the balance of power in Europe.
Whether the Alaska meeting yields progress toward a ceasefire or further entrenches divisions remains to be seen, but Zelensky’s message is clear: without Ukraine at the table, no deal will hold.
