Behind the scenes of the rushed meeting between European leaders and Trump at the White House

On August 15, U.S. President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

The meeting drew widespread reactions from various sides, with many view it as a victory for Russia.

Following the summit, Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and afterward convened another meeting in Washington with senior European officials.

In this context, Ruhollah Modabber, a Russia affairs expert, spoke with Mizan about the dimensions of this meeting and its implications for the future of the Ukraine war, as well as the broader outlook for Ukraine and European countries.

The frantic presence of European leaders in Washington

Modabber said: “The rushed and unprecedented presence of all European leaders—who are the central actors prolonging the Ukraine crisis and preventing peace—alongside Zelensky, just 72 hours after the Alaska summit between the U.S. and Russian presidents, shows clearly that the Alaska meeting ended entirely in Russia’s favor.”

He added that the British side, in coordination with France and Germany, seeks to disrupt U.S.–Russia agreements, which explains why this unusual emergency meeting was convened.

According to Modabber, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev recently warned European parties to stay away from escalating the situation: ‘You are not pursuing peace; do not get dragged into a broader conflict.’ This, he said, reflects Russia’s firm and direct stance against any European attempt to undermine understandings between Moscow and Washington.

Modabber emphasized that Trump has reached “special agreements” with Putin and has no intention of sabotaging them, because the U.S. stands to gain more if it reaches an understanding with Russia and manages global crises and the emerging world order through cooperation with Moscow.

Trump’s ultimatum to Zelensky and European leaders

The analyst added that while Trump will extract concessions from the Europeans, he will not align himself fully with their agenda. He noted that Trump’s message—that Zelensky must accept Crimea’s irreversible annexation and that Ukraine will never become a NATO member—was an ultimatum directed at both Zelensky and European leaders.

He continued: “Trump’s point was not only about Crimea. Clearly, the eastern regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—are also included in this annexation. Trump did not want to state this publicly, but he hinted to Zelensky: if you want to continue, you are on your own.”

The U.S. will not stand by Europe and Ukraine as before

According to Modabber, this means that Washington will no longer back Europe and Ukraine in disrupting any U.S.–Russia agreements. Analyses, he argued, show that Russia dominates both on the battlefield and at the diplomatic table, while a prolonged, grinding war increasingly threatens U.S. interests.

He explained: “For this reason, Trump is seeking to rebuild relations with Russia. Of course, he may use harsh language at times to appease Europeans, but he will not go so far as to adopt their demands.”

Europe’s failed plan for an independent Ukraine strategy without the U.S.

Modabber added that the failure of European leaders’ talks with the U.S. may push them to attempt an independent strategy in Ukraine, but such efforts are doomed to fail. He recalled that last year, London launched the so-called “Pioneers” plan—with France and the UK supporting Zelensky outside the U.S.-led framework—but it brought neither significant support nor meaningful change against Russia on the battlefield.

Europe cannot act without U.S. backing

In conclusion, Modabber stated: “This proves that Europe cannot implement any independent security, economic, or military policy without the U.S. Meanwhile, Washington has realized that Russia cannot be isolated or constrained. Therefore, it is in America’s interest to resolve disputes with Moscow directly or at least manage the level of tensions.”