Several European leaders have promised on Saturday, in a joint statement, that they will continue to support Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia until the end of the war. The declaration comes shortly after the summit in Alaska between President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The leaders conveyed that they are „prepared to collaborate with President Trump and President Zelensky for a trilateral summit with European support,” as reported by BBC.
"We are prepared to maintain pressure on Russia. Ukraine can count on our unwavering solidarity as we work towards a peace that safeguards Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests.
Decisions regarding territory will belong to Ukraine. International borders should not be altered by force," the statement continues, mentioning that the leaders are "determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong, to end the fighting, and to achieve a just and lasting peace."
The joint statement was issued after Trump briefed them on the discussions with Putin and is signed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Council President Antonio Costa.
The leaders emphasized that the next step should be talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and that they are ready to collaborate with Trump and Zelensky to organize a trilateral summit with European support.
Trump stated after the meeting with Putin that Ukraine should reach an agreement to end the war, adding that he and the Russian leader agreed that "the best way" is a direct peace agreement, not just a ceasefire, an option rejected so far by Kiev and its European allies.
The statement also emphasizes that Ukraine must benefit from "solid security guarantees" to defend its territorial integrity.
Several European leaders also made separate statements after their conversation with the Ukrainian president.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that European leaders agree that it is essential to "maintain pressure on Russia" until peace is achieved in Ukraine. Macron stated that they are also aligned in the position that peace in Ukraine "must be accompanied by unwavering security guarantees" and welcome the "willingness of the US to contribute."
Finnish President Alexander Stubb reiterated Macron's statement, saying that "strong and credible security guarantees" are crucial for peace in Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that there is a "glimmer of hope" for discussions on peace in Ukraine, adding that "Italy is doing its part alongside its Western allies."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that "President Trump's efforts have brought us closer than ever" to ending the war in Ukraine and added that the next steps must involve President Zelensky, and peace cannot be decided without him.
Zelenski: A lasting peace must be achieved, not just another pause
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he told President Trump that sanctions against Russia must be strengthened "if a trilateral meeting does not take place or if Russia tries to avoid a sincere end to the war." "Sanctions are an effective tool," he added in a statement.
Zelensky emphasizes that "all important issues for Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine's participation, and no issue, especially territorial ones, can be decided without Ukraine."
Following discussions with Trump and coordination with European leaders, Zelensky said that positions are clear: "A real, lasting peace must be achieved, not just another pause between Russian invasions."
He called for an end to killings, the establishment of a ceasefire on the ground and in the air, the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, and maintaining pressure on Russia as long as the fighting continues. "Security must be reliably and long-term guaranteed, with the involvement of both Europe and the US," he added.
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C.S.