Russian invasion Negotiations

Zelenskyj: Allies must pressure Russia to end invasion

Ukraine and its allies must work together to pressure Russia to end its invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj writes on X.

The statement came before the digital meeting on Wednesday between, among others, European leaders and Donald Trump ahead of the talks between US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

He writes that at present there are no signs that Russia is preparing to end the war.

"Our coordinated efforts and joint actions - from Ukraine, the United States, Europe and all countries striving for peace - can definitely force Russia to make peace. I thank everyone who helps."

Analysis: Trump and Putin in one room – set for disaster

Ahead of Friday's Ukraine talks between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Andrew Roth in The Guardian wonders whether any agreements can lead to lasting results.

"Trump alone in a room with Putin is a recipe for disaster," Roth writes. He refers, among other things, to the 2018 talks in Helsinki that dealt with the countries' relationship, election interference and Ukraine. At that time, Trump completely trusted Putin's words that Russia was definitely not involved.

David Blevins downplays the significance of the meeting in an analysis in Skynews. This is because the Trump administration has reduced it to a "listening exercise" where Trump is supposed to gain a better understanding of the situation.

According to Blevins, this may be because European leaders' "concerns about the situation may have begun to reach" the White House, which wants to lower expectations.

European leaders after talks with Trump: “There is hope for peace”

The European leaders who participated in today’s talks on Ukraine with Donald Trump are optimistic about the US president’s meeting with Vladimir Putin on Friday.

– There is hope for peace in Ukraine, says German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a press conference afterwards.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, who also participated, says the meeting was positive.

– The feeling now is that we are united, and that is very positive, he says according to The Guardian.

According to French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump agrees that Ukraine must be allowed to negotiate on issues related to the country’s territory. Trump will also work to arrange a physical meeting between him, Putin and Zelenskyj.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte thanked Donald Trump for his involvement in the peace process in Ukraine.

“The ball is now in Putin’s court,” he said.