European, US, Ukrainian Leaders Hold Emergency Virtual Summit on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

European leaders, led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are set to hold a series of virtual meetings on August 13 with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte ahead of Trump's scheduled summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussions aim to coordinate a joint strategy focusing on increasing pressure on Russia, addressing the status of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, security guarantees for Kyiv, and the sequencing of potential peace talks. Trump has proposed a settlement plan involving territorial swaps, which would require Ukraine to cede parts of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts to Russia, a suggestion met with strong opposition from Zelensky and European leaders who emphasize that Ukraine's territorial integrity must be maintained. The EU leaders and NATO officials have expressed concern about being sidelined from direct negotiations and stress that peace cannot be achieved without Ukraine's full involvement. Multiple video conferences are planned, including one with the coalition of military allies supporting Ukraine, to prepare for the Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin. While some US officials acknowledge that a US-brokered deal may leave both Ukraine and Russia dissatisfied, European leaders insist that any peace agreement must begin with a ceasefire and uphold international borders.