European Allies Stand Firm on Ukraine's Role in Peace Talks
European allies have shown strong support for Ukraine, emphasizing that any peace discussions involving Russia must include Kyiv. This comes as former US President Donald Trump prepares to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission highlights that the path to peace cannot be decided without Ukraine’s participation.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concerns that Ukraine might not be invited to its own peace talks. He warned that any agreements made without Kyiv would be "dead decisions." A White House official later mentioned that Trump is open to a trilateral meeting with both Putin and Zelensky, but so far, only Trump and Putin are set to meet, as initially requested by the Russian leader.
Trump has indicated he may start by meeting only with Putin, stating he plans to "start off with Russia." However, he also mentioned the possibility of organizing a trilateral meeting with both leaders. Whether Putin will agree remains uncertain, as the two leaders have not met face-to-face since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.
During his remarks, Trump suggested that "some swapping of territories" might be necessary for Moscow and Kyiv to reach an agreement. Zelensky strongly opposed this idea, stating, "We will not reward Russia for what it has perpetrated." He emphasized that any decisions against Ukraine or without its involvement would also be decisions against peace. Zelensky criticized the Russian approach, noting that it seeks to exchange Ukrainian territory for territorial gains, which could lead to further conflict.
Reports indicate that the White House is attempting to convince European allies to accept an agreement where Russia could retain the entire Donbas region and keep the Crimean Peninsula. In contrast, Ukraine and European powers have presented their own plan for ending the war. According to the Wall Street Journal, this plan includes reciprocal territory exchanges—meaning if Ukraine withdraws from certain areas, Russia must do the same.
The European leaders, in their late-night statement, stressed that "international borders must not be changed by force." They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine diplomatically, militarily, and financially, emphasizing that Ukraine has the freedom to choose its own destiny.
European allies are also concerned about their limited influence over any potential agreement between Trump and Putin. French President Emmanuel Macron raised these concerns on social media, stating that Europe must be part of the solution due to its own security interests. Europe has taken a firm stance against Russia, including sanctions and military aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky expressed his concerns during a phone call with Macron, stressing the need to prevent Russia from deceiving anyone again. He highlighted the importance of a genuine end to the war and reliable security for Ukraine and other European nations.
On Saturday, Vice-President JD Vance visited the UK and held discussions with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and two of Zelensky's top aides. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky's office, emphasized the necessity of Ukraine's inclusion in any negotiations. He stated that a lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, adding that a ceasefire is essential, but the frontline is not a border.
The upcoming summit in Alaska, the territory Russia sold to the US in 1867, will be the first between sitting US and Russian presidents since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in June 2021. Nine months later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In 2022, the Kremlin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—despite not having full control over them. Although Russia has not achieved a decisive breakthrough in its invasion, it occupies large parts of eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian offensives have struggled to push Russian forces back.