Your support helps us to tell the story
Read more
Support Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
US president Donald Trump will meet with European leaders and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for an emergency virtual summit on Wednesday.
The call, organised by German chancellor Friedrich Merz, comes ahead of Trump’s summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Anchorage on Friday as he endeavours to end the war in Ukraine.
European leaders have expressed their concerns after Trump expressed there would be ‘land swapping’ in a ceasefire deal between the warring nations, which meant Ukraine would have to cede territory to Russia three years after Putin launched a full-scale invasion.
He also said that Russia would have to accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin would be expected to surrender.
open image in gallery
Trump has said Zelensky and Putin will have to swap land in a ceasefire deal(Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)
Trump said on Monday he was “going to get everybody’s ideas” before meeting with Putin.
RECOMMENDED
Major US photography brand warns it could go out of business
Undo
Report shows how American Eagle stores have been affected by Sydney Sweeney ad
Undo
11 Benefits & Discounts for SeniorsSeniors Savings Guide |
Undo
Rare Nickel Alloy Could Break China's Nickel MonopolyTomorrow Investor |
Undo
Powered by TaboolaPowered by Taboola
The virtual summit is expected to focus on pressure options against Russia, questions about Ukrainian territories seized by Russia, security guarantees for Kyiv and the sequencing of potential peace talks, according to POLITICO.
European leaders have expressed their concern about being sidelined from the meeting between DC and Moscow, as Zelensky is unlikely to appear at the Alaska meeting. Their overarching concern is that Putin will set his sights on one of them next if he wins in Ukraine.
Twenty six European Union leaders issued a statement appealing to Trump on Tuesday, asking that he defend their security interests at Friday's summit.
They said they “welcome the efforts of President Trump towards ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.” But, they underlined, “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine" and "international borders must not be changed by force.”
open image in gallery
The call has been organised by German chancellor Friedrich Merz(AP)
Chancellor Merz reportedly called Trump on Sunday, after telling Germany’s public broadcaster ARD that Europe’s leaders were “preparing intensively at the European level together with the US government for this meeting.”
"We cannot accept that territorial issues are decided between Russia and America over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians," Merz said.
As well as Merz, Zelensky and Trump, British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to attend the virtual summit, as will other members of the Coalition of the Willing, a name given to the group of European leaders supporting Ukraine to end Russia’s invasion.
European leaders will meet with Nato and EU officials, as well as Zelensky, at 12pm GMT (1pm BST). An hour later, European leaders will meet separately with Trump and US vice president JD Vance.
The coalition of the willing, hosted by Germany France and the UK, will then meet at 2.30pm (3.30pm BST), before Chancellor Merz enters a press conference at a time that has not been revealed yet.