The statement, released late on Saturday, was signed by the leaders of Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It said negotiations to end the war could only take place in the context of a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the joint stance, thanking the European leaders for affirming that peace terms cannot be determined without Kyiv’s participation. “Ukraine defends the vital security interests of our European nations,” Zelenskiy said on social media, adding that the war must end on “fair” terms.
The signatories, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, expressed support for diplomatic initiatives to end the war but stressed the need to maintain military and financial assistance to Ukraine, including through the “coalition of the willing.” They also noted U.S. efforts to halt the fighting while underscoring that any agreement must deliver a just and lasting peace.
The joint statement came a day after Trump announced he would meet Putin in Alaska — their first direct talks since Trump began his second term — to discuss ending the conflict. U.S. media have reported that the White House is considering possible Ukrainian involvement in the discussions, though no concrete arrangements have been confirmed.
European leaders said they were united in ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and security remain central to any negotiations. The message appeared aimed at countering fears that bilateral U.S.–Russia talks could result in proposals involving territorial concessions to Moscow.
CNN described the planned summit as potentially a “slow defeat” for Ukraine, warning that the circumstances may favour Moscow. The network said Putin could use the meeting to push for territorial concessions from Kyiv, possibly involving areas his forces have not yet captured.
It noted that Russian troops are close to encircling key cities in Donetsk region and that any deal reached without Ukraine’s direct involvement could undermine its sovereignty.
Analysts cited by CNN also voiced concern that proposals floated by Trump’s envoys — including trading Ukrainian territory for a ceasefire — would amount to rewarding Russian aggression while locking in battlefield gains.
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Source: PAP, CNN