Trump Says Ukraine Must Have A Say In Any Territory Talks With Russia – Macron

U.S. President Donald Trump believes Ukraine should be directly involved in any discussions over territory as part of a potential truce with Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday.

Macron’s remarks suggest that Kyiv and its European allies have successfully pressed their position ahead of Trump’s planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

The statement offers some reassurance to Ukraine and its partners, who have been concerned that a U.S.–Russia deal could bypass Kyiv’s interests and involve concessions over its land. Trump has previously said that ending the war might require both sides to exchange territory.

The conflict, now in its fourth year, is the largest in Europe since World War Two, with tens of thousands killed and millions displaced. European leaders fear that any land deal could see Russia retain nearly 20% of Ukraine, effectively rewarding years of aggression and encouraging further expansion westward.

Speaking on Wednesday, Macron said Trump made clear that “territories belonging to Ukraine cannot be negotiated and will only be discussed by the Ukrainian president.” He also noted that no formal land-swap proposals are currently under consideration.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Trump’s priority for Friday’s talks would be securing a ceasefire, stressing there was no plan to legally recognise Russian-held areas.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for a three-way meeting between himself, Trump, and Putin. Merz added that while Ukraine is open to discussing territorial matters, it will not agree to legal recognition of Russian occupation.

“If the U.S. works towards a peace agreement that protects both European and Ukrainian interests, it will have our full backing,” Merz said alongside Zelenskiy.