Europe, Ukraine Push US for Ceasefire Before Trump-Putin Talks

Ahead of the planned August 15 summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, European leaders and Ukraine have called for conditions to ensure meaningful peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine. They emphasize the necessity of a ceasefire or reduced hostilities as a prerequisite for talks, with the current line of contact serving as the negotiation baseline, and insist that Ukraine must receive credible security guarantees to defend its sovereignty. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have jointly proposed a counteroffer to the US, demanding a reciprocal territorial exchange only after a ceasefire and firm security assurances. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected any territorial concessions, warning that surrendering regions would embolden further Russian aggression. The proposed negotiations reportedly focus on contested regions like Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk, with Russia seeking recognition of its control over some areas in exchange for troop withdrawals. European officials, while supporting Trump's efforts for peace, urge a balanced approach combining diplomacy, sustained military and financial aid to Ukraine, and continued sanctions on Russia to safeguard Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests.