European Union leaders have called on U.S. President Donald Trump to prioritize Ukraine’s interests in discussions to end the war, while welcoming his decision to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
Trump announced his plans to meet Putin in Alaska shortly after suggesting that an agreement to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, ongoing since 2022, was close at hand.
Although Trump aims to bring both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, a White House official stated that Trump has decided, in line with Putin’s wishes, not to include Ukraine in Friday’s talks.
Trump has suggested that under a peace agreement, Russia and Ukraine would need to exchange some territory to serve both parties’ interests and benefits.
In a joint statement, leaders from France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, Finland, and the President of the European Commission welcomed Trump’s initiative.
However, the statement emphasized maintaining support for Ukraine and continuing pressure on Russia. It also stressed that peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved without Ukraine’s participation.
The statement also called for guaranteeing Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the EU leaders’ statement.
Zelensky stated that any agreement to end the war must be fair to Ukraine.
Putin claims that Ukraine’s Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea are part of Russia. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 but does not have full control over the other regions.
Some sources suggest that U.S.-Russia talks include formally recognizing Russia’s annexed Ukrainian territories as part of Russia. However, the White House dismissed this as speculation. The Kremlin has not commented on this matter.
