Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European leaders on Saturday issued a joint statement pledging to continue backing Kyiv and maintain pressure on Moscow until the fighting in Ukraine ends, after a meeting in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The joint statement from leaders President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of the UK Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk was issued after US president briefed them on his talks with Putin.
According to the statement, “Leaders welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.”
The statement said that the next step should be discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and indicated readiness to collaborate with Trump and Zelensky on a three-way summit backed by European support.
How do European leaders stress security guarantees for Kyiv?
The leaders said that Kyiv must have ironclad security guarantees to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity effectively.
“We welcome President Trump’s statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role,”
They said.
“No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s pathway to EU and NATO. It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force,”
The statement said.
How determined is the EU to sustain support for Ukraine?
European leaders reiterated their commitment to support Ukraine to continue.
“We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace,”
They said.
They also stated that they remain prepared to maintain pressure on Russia as long as the violence in Ukraine persists.
“We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia’s war economy until there is a just and lasting peace,”
They said.
What did Trump say after Alaska talks with Putin?
As reported, after meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Donald Trump said Ukraine should accept a deal to end the war with Russia. Trump said he and Putin agreed the best way to handle the crisis was to move to a peace settlement, without first attempting a ceasefire, a position previously rejected by Kyiv and its European allies.
Trump also said the talks were “very productive” and there were points of compromise, if not a formal deal or ceasefire. He said that until there is a deal, there is no deal, meaning negotiations are still alive.
