Europe's Defense Minister, Strack-Zimmermann, expresses concern about the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska, stating that without Europe's own military might, it will forever remain a mere guest to international affairs.
MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a member of the FDP political party, has criticised the exclusion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU representatives from the upcoming US-Russia meeting. In an interview with broadcaster phoenix, she expressed her concerns about the potential discussion of the Ukraine conflict without the involvement of the directly affected parties.
Strack-Zimmermann believes that a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict must be based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, a democratic European framework that includes Ukraine as a sovereign partner, and the active inclusion of Ukraine and EU representatives in negotiations and discussions concerning the conflict.
The MEP also acknowledged the lack of military power Europe holds, and the potential lack of serious consideration from both Russia and Trump. However, she emphasised that Europe should not make concessions to Russian President Putin, but rather demonstrate strength and link any peace agreement to the conditions of Ukraine's NATO and EU membership.
Strack-Zimmermann expressed her concerns about Putin's intentions to absorb Ukraine, stating that discussions on territorial issues will be inevitable in any peace talks. She also noted that Trump's desire for peace is good, but the path to achieve it is uncertain.
In her role as Chair of the European Parliament's Defence Committee, closely engaged with Ukraine support efforts, Strack-Zimmermann stressed that peace talks or decisions should not exclude those whose lives and futures are directly at stake. She views a democratic Europe and the sovereignty of Ukraine as non-negotiable conditions for peace.
The MEP's statements were made on August 11, 2025, to the phoenix-Presseteam. Photographs of Strack-Zimmermann were taken by FDP.
- Strack-Zimmermann, as the Chair of the European Parliament's Defence Committee and a member of the FDP political party, has advocated for the active inclusion of Ukraine and EU representatives in negotiations and discussions regarding the Ukraine conflict, stressing that peace talks or decisions should not exclude those whose lives and futures are directly at stake.
- In her statements to the phoenix-Presseteam on August 11, 2025, Strack-Zimmermann emphasized that a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict must be based on policy-and-legislation that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that includes Ukraine as a sovereign partner within a democratic European framework, while acknowledging the complexities of war-and-conflicts and the general-news surrounding the situation.
