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European allies have reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing that any potential peace negotiations with Russia must include Kyiv’s participation.
A joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission was released ahead of a prospective meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday.
While a White House official indicated President Trump’s openness to a trilateral discussion involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, current plans remain centered on a bilateral summit between Trump and Putin, as initially requested by the Russian leader.
President Zelensky has stated unequivocally that any agreements reached without Kyiv’s involvement would be considered “dead decisions.”
President Trump previously suggested a preliminary meeting solely with President Putin, stating his intention to “start off with Russia.” However, he also expressed optimism about the possibility of organizing a trilateral meeting including both Putin and Zelensky.
President Putin’s willingness to participate in such a meeting remains uncertain, given his past reluctance to engage in direct talks with President Zelensky. The two leaders have not held a face-to-face meeting since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced over three years ago.
Speaking on Friday, President Trump also floated the idea of “some swapping of territories” to facilitate a potential agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, a suggestion that drew a strong reaction from President Zelensky.
“We will not reward Russia for what it has perpetrated,” President Zelensky stated on Telegram. “Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are also decisions against peace.”
“The Russians… still impose the idea of ‘exchanging’ Ukrainian territory for Ukrainian territory, with consequences that guarantee nothing but more convenient positions for the Russians to resume the war,” he added.
CBS News, the BBC’s U.S. media partner, has reported that the White House is reportedly attempting to persuade European allies to accept an agreement that would allow Russia to retain control of the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and the Crimean Peninsula.
The European leaders, in their statement released late on Saturday night, emphasized that “international borders must not be changed by force”.
“Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny,” they affirmed, underscoring their nations’ commitment to providing continued diplomatic, military, and financial support to Ukraine.
The leaders also stressed that a “diplomatic solution” is crucial, not only for protecting Ukraine but also for safeguarding European security.
Ukraine is not alone in its concerns regarding the proposed Alaska meeting.
European allies are also expressing apprehension about their limited influence over any potential agreement reached between Presidents Trump and Putin.
In a post on X on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron voiced concerns about the potential exclusion of European involvement by Russia and the U.S.
“Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution, as their own security is at stake,” he wrote.
On Sunday, President Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the allies for their support.
“The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations,” he said.
Europe has adopted a firm stance towards Moscow, implementing sanctions against Russian entities and providing military assistance to Ukraine.
President Zelensky reported that he conveyed to President Macron during a phone call on Saturday the importance of ensuring “the Russians do not get to deceive anyone again.”
“We all need a genuine end to the war and reliable security foundations for Ukraine and other European nations,” the Ukrainian leader stated.
U.S. diplomacy with Europe and Ukraine was undertaken by Vice-President JD Vance on Saturday, during his visit to the UK where he held discussions with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and two of President Zelensky’s top advisors.
Andriy Yermak, the head of President Zelensky’s office, expressed his gratitude to Vice-President Vance for the discussions and emphasized the need for Ukraine’s inclusion.
“A reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table,” he stated. “A ceasefire is necessary – but the frontline is not a border.”
The proposed summit in Alaska, the territory Russia ceded to the U.S. in 1867, would mark the first meeting between sitting U.S. and Russian presidents since Joe Biden met Vladimir Putin in Geneva in June 2021.
Nine months later, Moscow launched its military invasion of Ukraine.
In 2022, the Kremlin declared the annexation of four Ukrainian regions – Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – despite not exercising full control over them.
Moscow has not achieved a decisive breakthrough in its full-scale invasion but maintains control over significant portions of eastern Ukrainian territory. Conversely, Ukrainian offensives have not been successful in fully repelling Russian forces.
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