The online summit of leaders of the "Alliance of the Willing" has begun today, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participating. The meeting is being held under the chairmanship of French President Emmanuel Macron, and includes the leaders of Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, as well as representatives of other allied countries.
During his welcoming remarks, President Macron particularly thanked the representatives who joined the summit from Australia and Japan, before presenting the agenda for the discussions. “Our goal is to develop a common strategy in view of President Zelensky’s visit to Washington, which takes place tomorrow,” Macron stressed.
European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will travel to Washington on Monday for talks with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to official reports. The White House meeting is aimed at strengthening Kiev's position at a time when President Trump is pushing for a quick peace deal with Russia.
Trump, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, said in a post on social media that "great progress has been made with Russia," without providing further details on the content of the talks. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that President Trump has enough information to hold talks with Zelensky and European leaders, warning that both Russia and Ukraine will have to make concessions.
According to diplomatic sources, proposals were discussed at the Alaska summit involving Russia handing over some small occupied areas in exchange for concessions from Ukraine, including the creation of a large fortified zone in the east, as well as a “freezing” of front lines in other territories. However, many of President Putin’s demands are seen as difficult for Kiev to accept, suggesting that negotiations to end the bloodiest conflict in Europe in 80 years will be difficult. The conflict is now in its fourth year and has left more than 1 million people dead or wounded.
