Trump’s New Promise To Europe
President Donald Trump delivered a firm message to European leaders on Wednesday — there will be no backroom land deals with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their high-stakes summit in Alaska this week. Territorial questions, Trump insisted, are for Ukraine and Ukraine alone to decide.
European Leaders Back Trump’s Stance
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Trump’s position after a secure virtual meeting with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Speaking in Berlin with Zelensky at his side, Merz said Trump promised to push for an immediate ceasefire when he meets Putin. Macron agreed, stressing that Trump supported Europe’s demand that Ukraine must be directly involved in any territorial talks.
A “10 out of 10” Call — But No Illusions
Later at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Trump called the meeting “very good, I would rate it a 10.” He warned Putin will face serious consequences if he refuses to halt the war after Friday’s summit. But Trump was also candid: while he’s had constructive talks with Putin, ending attacks on civilians may not happen overnight.
“I’ve had that conversation with him,” Trump said. “Then I go home and see a rocket hit a nursing home… people laying dead in the street. The answer right now is probably no.”
From Deadline to Dialogue
Trump had previously set an August 8 deadline for Putin to end the war or face sanctions but allowed the date to pass to secure the face-to-face talks. He described Friday’s meeting as a first step to measure Putin’s commitment, with the ultimate goal of arranging a more decisive second summit involving both Zelensky and himself.
“There’s a good chance the second meeting will be more productive than the first,” Trump explained. “The first is about finding out where we are — the second is about getting the job done.”
