12:42 14-08-2025

Trump Blocks Zelensky’s Direct Role in Alaska Talks

whitehouse.gov

WSJ reports Trump opposed Zelensky’s direct participation in Alaska talks with Putin, fearing it could disrupt negotiations. EU leaders agreed to change the format.

According to the Wall Street Journal, U. S. President Donald Trump was concerned that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s presence at upcoming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska could jeopardize the negotiations.

The report stated that following calls on August 13 between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump, and other European leaders, the Europeans abandoned their initial demand for Zelensky’s direct participation. Trump reportedly voiced worries that involving the Ukrainian president at the very start of the discussions might disrupt the process.

Before the U.S. president’s objections, European countries had proposed a «direct representation» format. This would have included Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, or another European leader in the talks alongside the main parties.

Citing German officials involved in organizing Trump’s consultations with EU leaders, the WSJ noted that the U.S. president ultimately agreed to first brief Zelensky after the meeting, and then inform the rest of the European leaders.