U.S. President Donald Trump held a one-hour video conference on 13 August with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, two days before his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. Participants described the conversation as “very good” and “constructive,” according to statements from Trump, European leaders and Zelenskyy. Macron said Trump accepted that Ukraine must be directly involved in any talks over territory as part of a future cease-fire deal, reinforcing Kyiv’s insistence that its borders cannot be redrawn without its consent. Zelenskyy called the exchange productive and said the group reached a common position that security guarantees must accompany any settlement. Trump told reporters the Anchorage talks are aimed at “setting the table” for a swift follow-up meeting that would include Zelenskyy if initial discussions with Putin yield progress. He warned of unspecified “severe consequences,” potentially including further sanctions, should Moscow block efforts to end the three-and-a-half-year war. European leaders signaled they are prepared to increase pressure on Russia if Friday’s summit fails to produce movement toward a cease-fire.