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A virtual conference featuring French President Emmanuel Macron, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, and France’s Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu was held with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meeting took place at Fort de Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, France, on August 13, 2025. — Reuters
– Trump implies he might meet with Putin and Zelensky post-Alaska talks.
– He mentions having a very positive phone call with Ukraine’s leader.
– Macron states Trump agreed Ukraine should participate in peace negotiations.
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WASHINGTON/BERLIN: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a warning that Vladimir Putin will face “severe consequences” if he obstructs a peace agreement for Ukraine.
Ahead of their scheduled meeting in Alaska on Friday, Trump expressed hope the discussions would help progress, but he also indicated he’s prepared to take action if they fall short. He also suggested a subsequent meeting could quickly follow, involving Ukraine’s leader.
While Trump did not specify what actions might be taken, he previously warned of economic sanctions if the Alaska meeting with President Putin proves unproductive. These comments, combined with a virtual discussion involving Trump, European leaders, and Zelensky, appear to boost Ukraine’s prospects amid concerns the upcoming Alaska summit might neglect Ukrainian interests or compromise its territory.
Russia is expected to oppose Ukraine and Europe’s demands robustly, maintaining its stance established by Putin in June 2024. When asked if Russia would face repercussions if Putin does not agree to cease hostilities after the talks, Trump responded, “Yes, they will.” When pressed on whether sanctions or tariffs would be the consequences, Trump replied, “I don’t have to specify; it will be very serious.”
He also described the Alaska meeting as a foundational step toward a rapid follow-up, possibly involving Zelensky. “If the first meeting goes well, we’ll have a quick second one,” he said. “I want to do it almost immediately, with President Putin, President Zelensky, and myself, if they’re open to it.” He did not specify a timeline for the second session.
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Earlier, Zelensky participated in calls hosted by Germany with European leaders and Trump to define red lines before the Alaska negotiations. Trump called the conversations “very good,” rating them a 10, and described them as friendly. Macron asserted that Trump agreed Ukraine’s input is essential in any territorial concessions, and Zelensky stated Trump supported security guarantees post-war.
Macron stated, “President Trump was very clear that the US aims for a ceasefire at the Alaska meeting.” He emphasized that Ukrainian territory “cannot be negotiated away” without Ukraine’s president’s approval. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who presided over the virtual talks, reaffirmed that borders should not be forcibly altered. “If Russia shows no movement in Alaska, the US and Europe should increase pressure,” he explained. “President Trump understands and agrees with this position. We had an exceptionally constructive and positive conversation.”
The primary focus of Trump and Putin’s upcoming discussions is ending a conflict that has persisted for over three and a half years, the largest in Europe since WWII. Trump has previously indicated that territorial exchanges will be necessary to end the fighting, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
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On a day marked by significant diplomatic activity, Zelensky flew into Berlin for virtual meetings with European leaders and later with Trump. There is concern that possible territorial swaps might grant Russia nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s land, rewarding its nearly 11-year effort to seize Ukrainian territory, recent escalation including full-scale war, and encouraging Putin to push further west.
Recently, Russian forces made a marked advance into eastern Ukraine, seemingly trying to intensify pressure on Kyiv to relinquish land. Zelensky indicated that Putin continues to bluff about ending the war, stating, “He is trying to apply pressure before the Alaska meeting across all Ukrainian fronts. Russia aims to demonstrate it can occupy all of Ukraine.”
Sources familiar with the discussions suggest potential venues for a three-way summit, contingent on the outcome of the Alaska talks. While European leaders have expressed cautious support for Trump’s efforts, they emphasize that Ukraine’s participation in negotiations is non-negotiable.
Last week, Trump unexpectedly agreed to the summit, reversing weeks of criticism towards Putin for resisting US peace initiatives, after claiming his envoy had made notable progress in Moscow. Polls show that about 69% of Ukrainians favor a negotiated resolution, though many refuse peace at the expense of territorial concessions. Moscow’s Foreign Ministry maintains its position unchanged, demanding Ukraine withdraw from four regions claimed by Russia and abandon NATO accession plans, conditions Kyiv rejects as surrender.
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