Emergency call ahead of Putin talks

Germanys Merz chairs a high level virtual meeting as Europe presses for a ceasefire and security guarantees before Ukraine talks, with Trump joining.

European Leaders Prepare Emergency Call With Trump Ahead of Putin Talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is leading a virtual meeting of European leaders, Zelenskyy, and NATO head Mark Rutte to align on Ukraine strategy ahead of talks with Moscow. The participants insist that a ceasefire must come first and that any land swaps between Moscow and Kyiv be balanced and secured by firm guarantees for Ukraine. Three diplomats told POLITICO that Merzs team has actively lobbied partners in several capitals to organize the call. Merz also spoke with Donald Trump on Sunday night, urging sanctions on Russias banking sector and on Moscows trading partners. He told a German public broadcaster that Europe cannot accept negotiations that exclude European voices and that Putin responds to pressure. The schedule shows a two stage plan: first a one hour discussion at 2 p.m. German time with leaders from Germany, Finland, France, the UK, Italy, Poland, plus the European Commission and European Council presidents and Zelenskyy and NATO chief Mark Rutte; then a one hour session with Zelenskyy and Trump; followed by a 4:30 p.m. gathering of the so called coalition of the willing. The event signals a coordinated Western front as Alaska hosts the nuclear talks, underscoring the ongoing tension between diplomacy and political signaling.

The move underlines how Europe seeks to steer the peace process while bringing in a highly controversial figure. Including Trump could sharpen pressure on Moscow but also risk stirring internal divisions and complicating a unified European stance. The focus on a ceasefire and credible security guarantees points to a demand for tangible protection for Kyiv rather than vague assurances. Public reaction across member states may vary, and the outcome could hinge on the credibility of sanctions leverage and the willingness of all sides to commit to verifiable steps. This episode marks a test of alliance cohesion, balancing traditional diplomacy with high profile political theater.

Highlights

The path to durable peace will depend on verifiable steps, not just high level rhetoric.