Kyiv – On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy affirmed Ukraine’s strong support for a joint statement issued by European leaders regarding the pursuit of peace while safeguarding both Ukrainian and European interests. Zelenskiy reacted positively after German, Polish, UK, French, Italian, Finnish, and European Commission leaders praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to mediate an end to hostilities in Ukraine. They reiterated the necessity for continued pressure on Moscow and emphasized the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, reports 24brussels.
How does Zelenskiy view Europe’s joint peace statement?
In a post on X, Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude for the joint statement, stating:
“The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations.”
“Ukraine values and fully supports the statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President Ursula von der Leyen, and President Stubb on peace for Ukraine.”
The Ukrainian president, along with his European allies, warned that any agreement demanding Ukraine relinquish significant territories would only embolden Russian aggression.
Could Trump’s Alaska meeting shape Ukraine’s war outcome?
Reports indicate that U.S. President Trump is preparing for his meeting with Putin in Alaska, coinciding with Zelenskiy’s efforts for an agreement that might conclude the ongoing three-and-a-half-year conflict. Although Trump has indicated a desire for a trilateral summit that includes Zelenskiy, the White House is currently prioritizing a bilateral meeting with Putin, as per a White House source.
While the specifics of any potential deal remain unclear, Trump has mentioned a possibility of “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.” Such an outcome, according to Zelenskiy and his European partners, would likely enhance Russian assertiveness.
What conditions do European leaders set for Ukraine peace?
The day prior, a joint statement by European nations reaffirmed their support for Trump’s mediation efforts, stressing the need for ongoing support for Ukraine and consistent pressure on Russia.
“We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests,”
they asserted.
“We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,”
the statement continued, emphasizing:
“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
The leaders reiterated their commitment to the principle that international borders should not be altered through force and declared:
“The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.”
