BRUSSELS – A wave of urgent diplomatic activity is sweeping across European capitals as leaders from Ukraine and key EU nations seek last-minute consultations with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his highly anticipated summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The concerted effort, reported by the Associated Press on Monday, underscores deep-seated anxiety among American allies that their security interests could be compromised in a direct dialogue between the two leaders.

The German chancellor has extended an invitation to President Trump for discussions, a move echoed by Ukrainian officials and other European partners. This diplomatic scramble highlights the stakes of the upcoming summit, where topics ranging from the war in Ukraine to the future of European security architecture are expected to be on the table.

A Plea to Uphold the Alliance

At the heart of Europe's concern is the fear that President Trump, in his pursuit of a personal rapport with Putin, might agree to concessions that weaken the transatlantic alliance and embolden Moscow. Officials in Kyiv are particularly alarmed at the prospect of the U.S. reducing its military and financial support, which has been crucial to Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.

"For Ukraine, this is an existential moment," said a senior European diplomat who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations. "They fear any 'grand bargain' between Washington and Moscow could come at their expense, potentially legitimizing Russia's territorial claims or pressuring Kyiv into an unfavorable peace settlement."

This anxiety is not confined to Ukraine. For NATO members, especially those on the alliance's eastern flank like Poland and the Baltic states, the summit is a critical test of America's commitment to collective defense. President Trump's past criticisms of NATO spending and his questioning of the alliance's value have left many allies jittery. They are seeking reassurance that the U.S. will not unilaterally alter its security posture in Europe without consulting them.

Conflicting Agendas in Washington and Moscow

The push for pre-summit alignment comes as Washington and Moscow signal vastly different objectives. The Trump administration has framed the meeting as an opportunity to find common ground and de-escalate tensions between the world's two largest nuclear powers. President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire for a better relationship with Russia, viewing direct leader-to-leader diplomacy as the most effective path forward.

From Moscow's perspective, the summit is a chance to advance several long-standing foreign policy goals. The Kremlin is seeking relief from crippling international sanctions imposed after the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Furthermore, Russian officials hope to see a fracturing of the Western coalition that has stood against its actions in Ukraine and elsewhere. A deal struck directly with the U.S. President over the heads of European leaders would be seen as a significant strategic victory for Putin.

Echoes of Past Summits

The current apprehension is amplified by the memory of past Trump-Putin meetings, most notably the 2018 summit in Helsinki. Following that private meeting, President Trump appeared to publicly side with Putin over his own intelligence agencies regarding Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, sending shockwaves through the Western alliance.

European leaders are now working furiously to prevent a repeat of that scenario. Their strategy appears to be one of proactive engagement—to present a united front and clearly articulate their red lines to President Trump before he sits down with his Russian counterpart.

As the world watches, the success or failure of this last-minute diplomatic push could have profound implications. The summit, scheduled for later this week, is not merely a meeting between two men; it is a pivotal event that could redefine the security landscape of Europe and the future of the post-Cold War international order. The question remains whether the voices of concerned allies will be heard in time.