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Trump Insists Ukraine Be Included in Any Ceasefire Deal Ahead of Putin Meeting
Ahead of his Alaska meeting with Putin, Trump says Ukraine must be included in any land-for-peace deal. Europe warns against rewarding Russian aggression.
ND
by News Desk
2025-08-13
Trump Insists Ukraine Be Included in Any Ceasefire Deal Ahead of Putin Meeting

US President Donald Trump has said that Ukraine must be part of any ceasefire agreement involving land concessions, as he prepares for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

The statement came after an online meeting hosted by Trump with key European leaders, including British Prime Minister Theresa May, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, NATO Secretary General, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

European Concerns Over Land Swap


The talks were aimed at pressuring Trump not to reach an agreement that could harm European and Ukrainian security interests. European leaders fear that a land swap could give Russia control of about one-fifth of Ukraine, potentially rewarding Moscow for more than a decade of aggression and encouraging further territorial expansion.

President Zelensky joined the discussions virtually from Germany, where he had earlier attended a summit with European leaders. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Mertz warned that while Ukraine is open to discussing regional issues, it would never accept legal recognition of Russian occupation.

Trump Warns of Consequences if Deal Fails


Following the meeting, Trump described the discussions as “a 10 out of 10” and “very friendly.” He said there was a high probability of a second meeting with Putin and Zelensky if Friday’s talks go well. However, he warned that if Putin refuses to agree to end the war, “the consequences will be very serious.”

Trump said the priority is to exchange land to end the fighting, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. “If I don’t get the answer I want, there will be no second meeting,” he added.

European Leaders Emphasize Security Guarantees


British Prime Minister Theresa May stressed that any peace agreement must include “strong and reliable security guarantees for Ukraine,” adding that “international borders cannot be changed by force.” French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this stance, noting that “only the Ukrainian president can negotiate on Ukrainian soil,” and that no formal land swap proposal was currently under consideration.

Path to Peace Still Uncertain


While Trump aims to broker an agreement to end what he called “Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II,” European leaders remain cautious, warning against any deal that legitimizes Russian territorial gains. Zelensky has proposed a trilateral meeting with Putin and Trump to discuss the next steps.

The Alaska summit will be the most direct attempt yet to negotiate an end to the three-and-a-half-year war, but the path to peace remains fraught with deep divisions over territory and sovereignty.
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Ukraine

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PeaceTalks

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