Following a recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, concerns are being raised regarding potential pressure on Ukraine to make territorial concessions. CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen suggests President Trump may intensify calls for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia.
Röttgen indicated to the “Rheinische Post” that Trump demonstrated this pressure through public statements immediately following the Alaska summit and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy likely faced renewed pressure during his meeting at the White House on Monday. He described the situation as “serious and tense.
The recent encounter between Trump and Putin did not yield any progress toward a ceasefire or peace agreement, according to Röttgen, who stated Putin appears committed to his objectives in Ukraine and believes the conflict is progressing favorably for Russia.
He noted that European leaders, particularly through the influence of German Chancellor Merz, have established a clear and unified stance on the matter. However, Röttgen cautioned that the current pace of European efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense is insufficient and Europe must accelerate its response to the evolving situation.