The presidents of the United States and Ukraine, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, may meet on September 4 in Paris. This meeting is expected to take place during a summit organized by French President Emmanuel Macron, with the participation of European leaders and the NATO Secretary General.
The key objective of the summit is to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine following the end of hostilities. Participants are aiming to achieve consensus on a future security system for Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that the situation is developing rapidly and may soon reach a definitive outcome concerning security guarantees.
The main event of the summit could be the meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky. Russia, however, continues to show no readiness for high-level talks or for unblocking delegation-level consultations. The United States likely seeks to demonstrate tangible results following the Alaska summit and to further the peace process by involving European partners in drafting proposals to end the war.
Nevertheless, these proposals are unlikely to interest Russia, making a trilateral summit between the US, Russia, and Ukraine improbable. Donald Trump is not expected to increase sanctions on Russia or to enhance direct military aid to Ukraine, instead focusing on selling American weapons to European allies for subsequent transfers to Ukraine. The emphasis will be on new weapons, not Pentagon stockpiles.
With limited arsenals, Ukraine's support is expected to be lower compared to the Biden administration period. Trump’s goal is to showcase activity in the peace process, while Zelensky and European leaders aim to demonstrate constructiveness to prevent being blamed for any breakdown in negotiations.
Western security guarantees for Ukraine appear limited, as Russia will not accept any mechanism devised without its participation. A peacekeeping mission may be seen as an incursion. Thus, the prospects for an agreement signed by Vladimir Putin remain uncertain.
Ukraine and Western partners will continue to display readiness for peace, while the Kremlin maintains its demands for demilitarization, denazification, and control over annexed territories. The final outcome of the war may depend on Russia’s economic capacity and its relationship with China.
