Top European leaders have issued a united call urging President Donald Trump to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and Europe’s security interests when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week in
Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement on Saturday that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.” They stressed that any diplomatic resolution must be built on a ceasefire or significant reduction in hostilities, must include direct Ukrainian participation, and must not reward Russia with territorial concessions.
The statement also called for firm security guarantees to preserve Ukraine’s independence and protect Europe’s broader strategic interests.
In response to talk of potential “land swap” arrangements between Kyiv and Moscow, European leaders and Ukraine unveiled a counterproposal during high-level discussions in the United Kingdom. Their plan rules out any surrender of territory, calling instead for an immediate ceasefire, reciprocal troop withdrawals, and credible long-term security guarantees — potentially including future NATO membership for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed these points, saying Ukraine will not give up any land and insisting that only “honest negotiations” with Kyiv directly involved can lead to lasting peace.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukrainian officials, and European allies at Chevening House in the U.K. to coordinate positions before the Trump–Putin talks.
The Trump administration has not yet confirmed whether Zelenskyy will join the meeting in Alaska, though sources say it remains under consideration. European leaders welcomed diplomatic engagement from Washington but underscored that support for Ukraine should not come at the expense of its sovereignty.
The upcoming Trump–Putin meeting could have consequences far beyond Ukraine. Analysts warn that any deal undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity could weaken NATO’s deterrence posture, embolden future acts of aggression, and reduce U.S. influence in Europe. European leaders’ firm stance reflects a shared view that transatlantic unity — and Ukraine’s direct involvement in talks — are critical for long-term security on both sides of the Atlantic.
