**US to Coordinate with Europe Before Trump-Putin Summit**
The United States has promised to consult with its European partners before the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This comes as a relief to many in Europe who were worried about the implications of such a meeting.
The talks are scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, marking the first in-person meeting between Trump and Putin since Trump’s return to office. However, Ukraine’s participation remains unclear, sparking concerns in Kyiv and across Europe. Tusk expressed his own fears and hopes about the meeting, noting Trump’s unpredictable nature when it comes to making decisions.
**European Leaders Seek Direct Talks with Trump**
In an effort to address these concerns, European leaders have been seeking direct talks with Trump ahead of the summit. US Vice President JD Vance met with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London on August 9, and EU ambassadors were briefed on the matter the following day. The EU’s foreign ministers were set to hold a virtual meeting on August 11.
**Russia’s Demands for Ukraine**
Trump has told European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Putin is open to negotiations if “land swaps” are part of the deal. However, it remains unclear what such a deal would entail. A source in Ukraine’s Presidential Office revealed that Moscow seeks Kyiv’s full withdrawal from partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in the east while offering to withdraw its forces from limited areas it holds in northeastern Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.
Russia occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including areas it has held since 2014 – Crimea and parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Putin has publicly demanded that Ukraine renounce NATO membership, withdraw troops from all four occupied regions, and hand over several major cities still under Ukrainian control.
**Ukraine Rejects Preconditions**
Zelensky has repeatedly rejected any preconditions involving formally ceding Ukrainian territory. In his August 9 evening address, he warned that a settlement lacking “genuine peace” would allow Russia to regroup and attack again.
Tusk emphasized the importance of safeguarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity, stating it is “not just a matter of solidarity with our neighbor, but also of our own security.” This sentiment is shared by many in Europe who are watching these developments closely.
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