European leaders and Zelenskyy "pressure" Trump's construct for ceasefire before meeting with Putin

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a "constructive" discussion with US President Donald Trump ahead of his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

During a video conference on Wednesday, called by Merz, the importance of protecting European and Ukrainian security interests was emphasized at the upcoming meeting. The German chancellor stressed that a ceasefire should be a top priority at Friday's talks in Anchorage.

"President Trump also wants to make this one of his priorities," Merz said, expressing hope that an agreement will be reached.

French President Emmanuel Macron, also present at the video conference, said Trump promised to seek a future trilateral meeting involving himself, Putin and Zelenskyy. “We hope it can be held in Europe, in a neutral place that is acceptable to all parties,” Macron added.

History and hopes for the future

Merz recalled that all previous talks with Putin over the past two and a half years have been followed by “an even harsher military response .” He hopes that this time the situation will be different, otherwise the talks will not be “credible and successful.”

This series of virtual meetings was organized precisely to give European and Ukrainian leaders the opportunity to express their concerns ahead of the Alaska summit, from which they have been left out.

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