Trump Engages European Allies and Zelenskyy After Putin Talks Fail

U.S. President Donald Trump initiated diplomatic outreach to European allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following unproductive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The discussions, held on March 15, 2024, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, ended without a significant agreement, prompting concerns about the future of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

On Saturday morning, European Commission spokesperson Arianna Podestà confirmed that Trump briefed European leaders on the summit’s outcomes. The call included prominent figures such as Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and leaders from several nations, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also participated.

In a subsequent private call, European leaders met without Zelenskyy and U.S. officials to assess the situation. Zelenskyy characterized his conversation with Trump as “long and substantive,” expressing support for a proposed trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia. He emphasized that key issues could be effectively discussed at the leadership level and announced plans to visit Washington on Monday to meet with Trump.

A critical meeting of ambassadors from the European Union took place on Saturday morning to deliberate the bloc’s next steps. According to two EU diplomats, this extraordinary session was convened in a “restricted format” to minimize information leaks.

Despite the lack of breakthroughs during the talks, Trump described them as “extremely productive,” noting agreement on several points. He stated that future discussions would involve the Ukrainian side and European allies, asserting that the resolution ultimately rests with them. Trump’s remarks suggested a commitment to engaging with allies, even as he extended a warm welcome to Putin, who faces war crimes charges from the International Criminal Court.

Putin, while refraining from addressing international media questions, maintained that his military actions in Ukraine are motivated by “fundamental threats to our security.” He hinted at a potential “agreement” with Trump that could facilitate progress towards peace in Ukraine.

European officials had expressed concerns about a private meeting between Trump and Putin that excluded Ukraine. Despite this, leaders felt reassured following a recent virtual summit with Trump, where he assured them he would not endorse territorial exchanges without Ukraine’s consent. The Trump administration had engaged in unprecedented dialogue with international allies prior to the Alaska discussions, routinely briefing NATO and the EU.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the focus remains on how Washington will navigate its relationships with both Kyiv and Moscow in pursuit of a resolution to the ongoing conflict.