European leaders said peace talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week are unlikely to succeed without Ukraine's involvement.

There is a fear on the Continent that the Ukrainian president — as well as their own interests — might be frozen out of the summit in the Last Frontier.

Not for the first time, European capitals are gripped with apprehension that Russian President Vladimir Putin will surgically divide the transatlantic alliance as well as get everything he wants in Ukraine.