European leaders, USA and NATO today tuned the joint action before Friday’s meeting Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Although only virtual, through a video call.
On Friday, a key meeting will take place in the US, which may be one of the most important since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The European today has agreed that the ceasefire must be preceded by any agreement on the future of Ukraine and must not decide without its participation. They also confirmed that territorial exchanges between Russia and Ukraine are not acceptable.
“Any question about the territorial integrity of Ukraine cannot be addressed, regardless of our constitution and the will of our people,” said Volodymyr Greenyj after a meeting of European leaders.
The virtual meeting, which was hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, was held with the personal participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The line was also President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
According to Zelensky, Trump supported these principles and promised to hear Kiev after Friday’s negotiations with Putin. The discussion took place in the shadow of continuing fighting on the front and the expectation that Moscow will try to strengthen its negotiating position. Slovakia was not among the online summit of European leaders.
The negotiations were preceded by the statements of Ursula von der Leyen and Friedrich Merz, who stressed that decisions between Russia and the US during Friday meeting should not be taken without the participation of Ukraine.
Kiev and Europe requirements: cerebies, security guarantees and territorial integrity
Today’s European virtual summit has ended with a clear legacy: the ceasefire must be the first step to peace and Ukraine should have a place at the negotiating table. At a press conference after the meeting, Greeding reiterated that Donbas or other territories were not planning to hand over. He added that Russia must not have the right to sentence whether Ukraine will become an EU or NATO member. He also warned that if Moscow did not approach the ceasefire during negotiations in Alaska, sanctions against Putin’s people should be tightened.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that territorial issues can only be addressed with Ukraine. He added that the interview with Trump made it possible to clearly explain Europe’s expectations and that Kiev’s support and pressure on Moscow must last until permanent peace is reached.
Merz stressed that the sequence of steps must be respected in the negotiations: first a ceasefire, then a framework agreement. According to him, Kiev needs robust security guarantees, the ability to defend its sovereignty and permanent West support. Friday negotiations can bring fundamental decisions, so Europeans are trying to prepare the land to turn out in the right direction.
Merz’s 100th day in the function of Ukraine
According to CNN analysis, the summit is one of the most important moments of Merza’s office – and symbolically took place exactly on the day it is 100 days in office.
The Personal Participation of Greenland in Berlin had a strong symbolic importance and recalled that Europe insisted on its participation in discussions on the end of the war. Merz has built a personal relationship with Trump in recent months, meeting in June in the White House.
Expectations and concerns before Alaska
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after the summit that the support of the United Kingdom for Ukraine continues and that “international borders must not be changed by force”. Together with other leaders, he appreciated Trump’s “effort to bring Putin to the negotiating table to achieve a ceasefire”.
Macron, who leads with Starmer so -called. The “coalition of willing”, said Trump clearly confirmed the involvement of Ukraine in all negotiations on territorial issues and that the aim of Friday’s meeting was a ceasefire.
NATO Secretary -General Mark Rutte wrote on social networks that “the ball is now on Putin’s side” and highlighted the unity in an effort to achieve a fair and lasting peace. Ursula von der Leyen described the negotiations as “very good” and said that Europe, the US and NATO have strengthened a common position for Ukraine.
According to Politico, Trump has come close to NATO’s positions in recent months, but there is distrust in Europe, whether consultations will actually affect his approach. Concerns caused his Monday’s statement about possible “exchanges of territories”, which, according to some representatives, could reward Russian aggression.
Trump assured that any solution had to be approved by Kiev, and promised to inform Green and European leaders after meeting with Putin. The result, however, will show up to Friday’s negotiations in Anchorage, the first Putin’s visit to the US after ten years.
