Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky touched down in Berlin early Wednesday to join European leaders for an all-important call with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is dialling in virtually. It’ll serve as Zelensky’s chance to make a final case to Trump before he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
In a post shared on Truth Social ahead of the conference call, which will also include Vice President J.D. Vance, Trump referred to the European leaders as “great people who want to see a deal done.”
Trump previously stated that a lasting cease-fire in the Russia-Ukraine war, which was triggered when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, could only come through the exchange of territories “for the betterment of both.” Zelensky, backed by his European allies, has staunchly denounced that idea, stating that Ukraine will not “gift their land to the occupier.”
World leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urged Trump to consider inviting Ukraine to the Putin summit and have reiterated their support for the eastern European nation.
“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,” the leaders of France, Italy, the U.K., Germany, Poland, and Finland said in a statement released on Saturday. “We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.”
Read More: Zelensky on Trump, Putin, and the Endgame in Ukraine
Meanwhile, Russian troops advanced deeper into Ukraine on Tuesday, in what some have viewed as a bid to pressure Kyiv into considering Putin’s demands for more territory. “We see that the Russian army is not preparing to end the war. On the contrary, they are making movements that indicate preparations for new offensive operations,” Zelensky said.
Ahead of his call with world leaders on Wednesday, Trump strongly criticized what he claimed has been “very unfair” media coverage of his upcoming talk with Putin.
“Very unfair media is at work on my meeting with Putin. Constantly quoting fired losers and really dumb people,” Trump said via Truth Social, before referencing recent comments made by his former national security adviser John Bolton, who asserted that “Putin has already won,” in an interview with The Atlantic.
“What’s that all about? We are winning on EVERYTHING. The fake news is working overtime. (No tax on overtime),” Trump added.
Read More: World Leaders React to Zelensky and Trump’s Oval Office Showdown
Amid much discussion over the Trump-Putin summit and what, if any, progress can be made, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has seemingly downplayed expectations.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, she said the meeting will serve as a “listening exercise” for Trump, in order for him to get a “better understanding” of how to end the war in Ukraine.