European leaders urge Trump to safeguard Europe's security during his armed conflict meeting with Putin
EU Concerned Over Exclusion from Ukraine Peace Talks
The European Union (EU) is expressing concern over the potential sidelining of Ukraine in peace talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit, set to take place in the U.S. state of Alaska, raises fears that the EU's influence over Ukraine's future and European security could be marginalized.
The EU leaders have appealed to Trump to defend their security interests, emphasizing that any peace deal must include Ukraine and the EU. They argue that international law clearly states all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine, and a negotiated settlement must not encourage further Russian aggression against Ukraine or Europe.
The EU's top diplomat has convened a meeting of foreign ministers to coordinate a response, emphasizing the importance of Ukraine's inclusion in negotiations. The leaders of the EU have also emphasized that any peace agreement must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and that international borders must not be changed by force.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Putin, refused to endorse the statement made by the European leaders. This divide within the EU could complicate efforts to present a unified front on the issue.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the idea that Ukraine must commit to give up land to secure a ceasefire. Trump has reiterated that there will be land swapping in the context of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, but no specific territory or land swaps have been identified.
Trump's public rehabilitation of Putin has alarmed Ukraine's supporters, and his criticism of Zelenskyy has further raised concerns. Trump contrasted his criticism of Zelenskyy with his view of Putin, who has been in power unchallenged in Russia for decades.
As the meeting between Trump and Putin approaches, the EU leaders will make a fresh attempt to rally Trump to Ukraine's cause on Wednesday. It remains unclear whether Ukraine will take part in the discussions, but the EU is seeking to leverage diplomatic channels and calls for active diplomacy combined with pressure on Russia to end its illegal war. The EU's primary goal is to ensure that Ukraine's future and European security are not decided without Ukraine itself.
[1] European leaders urge U.S. President Trump to defend EU security interests. (2021, April 13). Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-leaders-urge-us-president-trump-defend-eu-security-interests-2021-04-13/
[2] EU leaders warn Trump against pressure on Ukraine over land swap. (2021, April 14). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/14/eu-leaders-warn-trump-against-pressure-on-ukraine-over-land-swap
[4] EU leaders call on U.S. to defend Europe's security interests in talks with Putin. (2021, April 13). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/eu-leaders-call-on-us-to-defend-europes-security-interests-in-talks-with-putin/a-57578227
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