Top EU Officials Urge Caution on Territorial Deals in Ukraine Peace Talks
Leading European Union officials are warning the United States against endorsing a “one-sided” territorial exchange with Russia in negotiations regarding Ukraine, emphasizing that any agreement must respect current frontlines and ensure security guarantees for Kyiv, reports 24brussels.
A senior European Commission official stated, “The Russian position is framed as a territorial swap, but it appears as a rather one-sided swap.” The official underscored that rather than land, “security guarantees are of the utmost importance for Ukraine.”
In an overnight statement, several EU leaders underscored their concerns to Washington ahead of an upcoming summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, scheduled for Friday.
The Kremlin has insisted that Ukraine withdraw entirely from eastern regions which it currently occupies only partially.
During a recent address, Trump remarked, “There will be some swapping of territories.” Notably, the forthcoming discussions regarding a negotiated settlement will occur without the involvement of Ukrainian or EU leaders.
The European Commission official reiterated that any agreement must encompass the “most robust security guarantee,” which should mean “no limitations on [Ukraine’s] armed forces and third countries’ support.”
Signs indicate that Washington is gaining awareness of the situation. The Commission official noted, “The US administration has been very involved and has shown interest in aligning positioning with Europe.”
The bloc’s foreign ministers are scheduled to meet via videoconference on Monday.
Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized, “Any deal between the U.S. and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included.” She warned that any arrangement should not provide a platform for further Russian aggression against Ukraine or threaten the transatlantic alliance.
Kallas further asserted that it is the U.S. which “has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously.”
In an interview with Fox News, recorded on Friday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance suggested that a “negotiated settlement” should align with “where the current line of contact between Russia and Ukraine is,” echoing the EU’s stance.
