Diplomatic mobility intensifies in view of the meeting of Donald Trump with Vladimir Putin In Alaska. In recent hours, Berlin, Paris and London, in close coordination with Kiev, they have completed an alternative peace plan, according to a DW report. This document, presented by US Vice President J. Di. Vance, as a “red line” that no negotiation can be done without Ukraine’s participation.
In a joint announcement issued on Saturday night (09.08.2025), seven European countries and the European Commission welcomed Donald Trump’s mediation efforts, recalling that “border cannot change with violence”. The message is clear: only a combination of active diplomacy, strong support in Ukraine and pressure on Vladimir Putin can lead to a viable deal.
Donbas’ concession refusal
According to the Wall Street Journal, Emmanuel Macron, Kir Starmer and Friedrich Mertz rejected Vladimir Putin’s latest proposal: the recognition of the entire Donbas area as a Russian territory in exchange for a ceasefire. For Europeans, no discussion of territorial exchanges can be done as long as hostilities continue.
They also require security guarantees for Ukraine, with the prospect of its future joining NATO. And they categorically reject the possibility of a “second Yalta”, where – as in 1945 – the Great Powers would divide Europe to the detriment of its peoples. In the European capitals there is a fear that Trump and Putin could reach an agreement in Alaska, leaving both Kiev and Europe.
Macron, Starmer and Mertz at the forefront
Officially, Berlin keeps low tones. However, Emmanuel Macron, in his post on X, stressed that “the future of the Ukrainians cannot be decided without them” and that Europeans should “be part of the solution”. On Saturday, the French president, the British Prime Minister and the German Chancellor had a teleconference with Volodimir Zelenski.
From Kiev, the Ukrainian President reiterated his commitment to a “fair and enduring” peace and warned his allies that Vladimir Putin “cheated on them”.
According to the US NBC network, the White House is even considering Zelenski’s invitation to Alaska. Nothing has been confirmed and, even if it travels, it is not certain that the Ukrainian president and the Russian leader will find themselves “in the same room”.