European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, huddled with President Trump on a video conference meeting Wednesday to discuss ceasefire basics ahead of Mr. Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the discussion as “constructive and good,” but Mr. Zelenskyy warned that Mr. Putin is “trying to apply pressure … on all sectors of the Ukrainian front” in an attempt to show that Russia is “capable of occupying all of Ukraine.”

According to CNN, Mr. Zelenskyy said after the meeting that “there should be a ceasefire first, then security guarantees — real security guarantees” and that Mr. Trump “expressed his support.”

Mr. Trump agreed with the European leaders that Ukraine must be part of any talks related to land yields to end the war, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

“Territorial questions that fall under Ukraine’s authority cannot be negotiated and will only be negotiated by the president of Ukraine,” Mr. Macron said.

Mr. Trump said on Monday that a peace settlement would require “land swapping” by Ukraine and Russia.

Mr. Macron also suggested Mr. Trump will “seek a future trilateral meeting” with the Ukrainian and Russian presidents.

“I think that’s a very important point in this regard. And we hope that it can be held in Europe, in a neutral country that is acceptable to all parties,” Mr. Macron said.

• This story is based in part on wire service reports.

• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.