Edith Hejberg
Washington is working to arrange a rare meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelensky, US Vice President JD Vance revealed.
The talks are linked to the US-Russia summit in Alaska on August 15, with European leaders pressing for Zelensky’s presence.
Putin’s Reluctance Softened by Trump
One major obstacle has been Putin’s refusal to sit down with Zelensky. According to Vance, Trump has managed to shift that stance, opening the door for direct three-way talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
EU Leaders Demand Ukraine’s Seat at the Table
Brussels insists Ukraine must be represented at the Alaska summit. While Zelensky is not yet confirmed, he has asked allies, especially France, Germany, and the UK, to coordinate a united approach to the negotiations.
Zelensky’s Attendance Still Uncertain
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker hinted that Zelensky could attend.
However, he stressed that the final decision lies with Trump, who will decide whether inviting Ukraine’s leader serves the summit’s goals.
JD Vance Urges Europe to Shoulder More Costs
Vance told Fox News that Americans are “tired” of funding Ukraine’s war effort.
He urged Europe to increase its financial and military contributions, saying Washington is “done with funding” Kyiv.
Europe’s Military Commitment Falls Short
Plans for a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine, originally envisioned with 64,000 troops, are far from reality.
Even Britain’s reduced proposal for 10,000 troops faces political resistance and manpower shortages across Europe.
Kyiv’s Security Needs Far Exceed EU Proposals
Zelensky has said Ukraine needs at least 200,000 troops to enforce peace after any ceasefire, while experts suggest 600,000.
Current European offers fall drastically short of those figures.
Aid Gap Between Europe and the US
Europe has now surpassed the US in total military aid to Ukraine, €72 billion compared to $65 billion from Washington.
However, American assistance includes more advanced weaponry, and much of Europe’s spending goes toward buying US-made arms.
Putin’s Reliance on Global Allies
Russia is sustaining its war effort largely through domestic production and support from China, Iran, and North Korea. Since 2023, Pyongyang has shipped millions of artillery shells and rockets to Moscow, a scale unmatched by any European supplier.
Europe’s Slow Defense Integration
Despite launching an €800 billion readiness plan, the EU faces delays in modernizing its military. Political divisions, industrial fragmentation, and a lack of common strategy hinder efforts, leaving Europe dependent on US capabilities.
