Before being completely set aside from a discussion about a war that takes place in its own territory, Europe has joined to send an external and internal message: it also exists, it is seeing everything that goes on and has demands
Europe needs salvation and the United States appears as an authentic hero to ensure it. And this will happen “again,” said the US vice president, who is in England.
It was there that Jd Vance revealed a conversation he had with Donald Trump a few minutes before talking to US soldiers parked on an English base.
“I spoke to himself before taking the stage and he said a lot simply that we will make our mission as administration to bring peace to Europe again,” he said.
A paternalistic discourse, yes, but that changes the chip a little about what has been the United States’s view of the old continent. After all it is to protect the ancient allies, as protected in both world wars.
However, and almost guessing Jd Vance’s words, the European Union has made it appear as a relevant actor, even if the war in Europe will be discussed in the middle world away and without any European representative.
The president of the European Council was one of the voices to appear firmly to show the world that we are also at stake. “No one but Ukraine can negotiate Ukrainian affairs,” said António Costa, one of the high representatives of the 27 Member States at a virtual meeting that, besides Donald Trump, also featured Volodymyr Zelensky and responsible for the various European governments.
Very useful calls today on Ukraine 🇺🇦 with , , and European leaders, ahead of the important bilateral meeting in Alaska.
The EU is determined to work closely and in unity with the U.S. to end Russia’s war of aggression and secure a just and lasting peace.
We…
– António Costa (@eucopresident)
In addition to the representation of Brussels, the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy or Poland were not lacking.
They are all with Zelensky, who sees their “positive and united” allies, including Friday’s meeting. Perhaps with a dose of utopia, the Ukrainian President even let out that he hopes to see a concrete step towards peace later this week.
The European Union message is clear: there is no room for any territorial discussion without Ukraine being at the negotiation table. “Everything was very clear and expressed by President Trump… Territorial issues about Ukraine can only be and will only be negotiated by the president of Ukraine,” reiterated Emmanuel Macron, who participated in the call alongside António Costa.
“This is the position we supported and this was clearly said by Trump,” added the French president, putting in clear words that United States and Europe are a “us.”
In parallel, Nato’s secretary general came to say that United States and Ukraine are “united” to resolve the conflict in a new demonstration of union, even if not too strong.
What if Alaska doesn’t come out at all concrete? Then the European Union has known Trump that has to be more aggressive with Putin. This is what Germany Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, who requested a renewed pressure from Russia if there are no advances in Anchorage.
Showing alignment with this position, Trump himself suggested that Russia “will face consequences” if it continues with this war. But the US President is more confident than that, believing even that Alaska can come out for a meeting between Putin and Zelensky that can happen quickly.
As for the great fear of Europe, this one seems to put aside. According to Macron, Trump agreed that any territorial concessions will always have to have the word of Ukraine. If this will happen and, worse, as it will happen, it is harder to predict, as Zelensky rejects from the first minute of the invasion to give any millimeter of territory to the invader.
By the way, in Kiev the issue goes far beyond the occupation of Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporizehzia or Kherson. The war is only understood by the return of the Relies’ Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.
Without talking about concrete locations, Costa removed three things from the call: “First of all, a ceasefire. Second, no one but Ukraine can negotiate Ukrainian affairs. Third, the availability of the United States and Europe together to strengthen security conditions as soon as we reach just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
As for the meeting next Friday, which will leave Europe to see ships, Macron and Costa, who later spoke to journalists, wished “the biggest success,” even expects Alaska to come out something that can “get a ceasefire and a fair and open way to peace in Ukraine.”
