· 3 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Deutsche Welle (DW) or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: As U.S. President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, European leaders are urgently seeking to influence the outcome
• In a high-level video call hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy present, EU officials pressed Trump to secure a ceasefire before negotiations and avoid unilateral territorial concessions
• While Trump has previously floated land swaps to end the war, he now signals that no deals will proceed without Ukraine at the table
🔭 The context: This summit comes amid growing pressure for an end to the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, which has devastated infrastructure and reshaped global alliances
• European leaders fear that a closed-door Trump-Putin deal could undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and EU strategic interests
• Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy and skepticism of NATO have made allies wary of potential U.S. concessions
• Meanwhile, Russia is seeking to fracture Western support and reduce U.S. military presence in Europe
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Beyond the geopolitical stakes, the Ukraine war has severe environmental and energy implications
• Destruction of infrastructure has caused widespread ecological damage, while disrupted energy flows have accelerated Europe’s shift to renewables
• A potential peace agreement must also address the ecological reconstruction of Ukraine—estimated to cost up to $1 trillion—and ensure climate-related recovery is not sidelined by political trade-offs
⏭️ What's next: Europeans await the outcome of the Alaska talks with cautious optimism, hoping for a ceasefire but fearing a backroom deal
• A proposed follow-up trilateral summit including Zelenskyy may take place in a neutral European country. Meanwhile, discussions continue over using frozen Russian assets—approximately €200 billion in Europe—for Ukraine's reconstruction
• Key issues include Russia’s payment of reparations, repatriation of abducted Ukrainian children, and U.S. security commitments to deter further aggression
💬 One quote: “Russia wants to push the US out of eastern Europe and assert military dominance, this process is happening just as Ukraine-Russia negotiations take shape,” said Kristine Berzina of the German Marshall Fund.
📈 One stat: Over €200 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets are currently held in Europe, mostly in Belgium's Euroclear bank
Curious how major companies measure up on climate? On illuminem’s Data Hub™, explore verified emissions data, net‑zero targets, and sustainability performance of thousands of firms — from industry leaders to emerging innovators
Click for more news covering the latest on ethical governance
