European leaders expressed cautious optimism following a virtual meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, just two days before his scheduled talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The summit aims to explore ways to end the war in Ukraine.
During the call, Trump outlined his objective of securing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, with territorial issues to be resolved alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and security guarantees included.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the discussion clarified Trump’s intentions and provided European leaders an opportunity to share their expectations. The call involved leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Poland, along with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in a last-minute effort to ensure Ukraine’s interests and Europe’s security remain central.
Trump later rated the exchange a ten, warning of severe consequences for Russia if the conflict continues. He also suggested that a successful summit could lead to a follow-up meeting involving both Putin and Zelensky.