European leaders holding a video conference ahead of the US-Russia summit. Yonhap News. 

European leaders expressed cautious optimism regarding the U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska on the 15th—a potential turning point in ending the Russia-Ukraine war—following a video conference with U.S. President Donald Trump on the 13th (local time), the BBC reported.

European nations had previously expressed concerns that President Trump might rush to end the war by pressuring Ukraine to cede its territory to Russia.

During this meeting, European leaders conveyed the European position that any negotiations must be conducted in a manner that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and there is a sense of relief now that Trump has agreed to this.

According to The New York Times (NYT), President Trump met with reporters at an event at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., following the video conference, expressing satisfaction by stating, "We had a very good call," and adding, "It was a 10 out of 10. It was very friendly."

He also warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would face "very serious consequences" if he does not stop the war following the Alaska summit.

However, when asked by reporters whether he believes Russia will stop attacking Ukrainian civilians, he adopted a skeptical tone, saying, "Probably not."

There have also been reports in the U.S. media that President Trump expressed his willingness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.

The political news outlet Politico reported that President Trump made these remarks during the video conference with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Three sources, including a European diplomat and a British official, told the outlet that "the U.S. expressed a willingness to provide Ukraine with the means to deter future Russian invasions should a ceasefire be achieved between Russia and Ukraine."

Commenting on the video conference, French President Emmanuel Macron stated, "We were able to clearly understand President Trump's intentions, and it was an opportunity for European nations to express our expectations."

He further noted that President Trump made it clear to the European leaders that he wants to achieve a ceasefire at the Alaska summit. Additionally, Macron added that Trump agreed that any decisions regarding territorial issues must involve Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and that security guarantees for Ukraine must be an essential element of the negotiations.

Trump and Putin meeting at the 2017 G20 summit in Germany. Yonhap News file photo. 

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that European leaders "made it clear that if there are follow-up talks, Ukraine must be at the negotiating table."

He added that if Russia does not make concessions, the U.S. and Europe must work together to increase the level of pressure.

President Zelenskyy, who attended the video conference, warned President Trump that Putin does not want peace and intends to occupy the entirety of Ukraine. He urged both Europe and the U.S. to apply "more pressure" on Russia.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed strong expectations for the U.S.-Russia summit.

He remarked, "Over the three and a half years of this war, we have never been this close to a practical solution or a ceasefire plan," adding, "Thanks to the efforts made by President Trump, we now have that opportunity."

The U.S.-Europe video conference was arranged for Ukraine and European nations—which had been excluded from the process—to demand preconditions for negotiations after Trump hastily decided on the Alaska summit in response to Putin's proposal.

The leaders of Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, Finland, and Poland, along with the Ukrainian President, the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, and the NATO Secretary General, met one hour earlier to coordinate their views before holding the conference with President Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

European leaders are pouring their efforts into keeping Trump’s independent actions regarding the Ukraine issue in check and persuading him not to be rashly swayed by Putin's proposal.

However, some suggest there are limits to the efforts European leaders can make toward Trump.

Anna Sauerbrey, foreign policy editor at the German weekly *Die Zeit*, told the NYT that European leaders "have no choice but to hope, pray, and keep flattering Trump," adding, "But that is all they have."

The assessment is that, ultimately, the final decision-making power rests with Trump, and Europe lacks the influence or capacity to sway him otherwise.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Merz at a press conference after the video conference. Yonhap News.