In light of the Trump-Putin meeting, there is a growing call among Europeans for negotiations with Zelenskyy - Following the Trump-Putin meeting, calls for dialogue with Zelensky escalate among Europeans
In the Alaskan wilderness, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Friday, discussing various international issues, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite the closed-door discussions, Trump did not disclose any details of his conversations with Putin to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or other European leaders, such as Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron. However, Trump did inform these leaders about the summit.
The European leaders have responded with a show of solidarity towards Ukraine and emphasised the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia through sanctions until a lasting peace is achieved. They have not criticised the summit directly but have stressed the need for Ukraine's involvement in ongoing discussions.
The leaders have indicated their readiness to work with both President Trump and President Zelenskiy towards a trilateral summit, while continuing to strengthen sanctions against Russia's war economy. They have also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining economic pressure on Russia.
Regarding Ukraine's relationship with the EU and NATO, the European leaders have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s aspirations and emphasised the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in all peace and security discussions. They have demonstrated a clear commitment to Ukraine’s European integration and security partnership, highlighting Ukraine’s role in their broader strategy against Russian aggression.
The leaders have also emphasised the need for Ukraine to receive "inviolable security guarantees" from its Western partners. The nature of these guarantees was not specified, but they are intended to effectively defend Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Trump ruled out an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, instead advocating for a "peace agreement." However, no specific details about the nature of this peace agreement were provided.
Putin recently said he has "no fundamental objections" to a meeting with Zelensky, but the "conditions" for such a meeting are not yet met. Trump described a potential summit with Zelensky's involvement as "very, very important, as they will make a deal."
Despite the summit, the economic sanctions on Russia were not lifted. The European heads of state and government have reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying sanctions and other economic measures to exert pressure on Russia's war economy. Their goal is to achieve a just and lasting peace.
The leaders have been cautious in their response, insisting that the international community must keep up pressure on Russia because Ukraine faces severe consequences from the summit’s outcome, especially as Ukraine was not invited to the talks. They fear that Ukraine might have to make difficult concessions and note that President Trump's approach echoes Kremlin policy by suggesting negotiations without a prior ceasefire, a stance Ukraine and its European allies strongly oppose.
The European Union has expressed its concern at the recent events in the Middle East, including the recent attacks on the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and various other nations. This concern stems from the ongoing political instability and war-and-conflicts that continue to spread across the region.
In response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, general news outlets have reported the European leaders' emphasis on maintaining pressure on Russia through sanctions until a lasting peace is achieved, repeating their commitment to working with both President Trump and President Zelenskiy towards a trilateral summit and strengthening economic pressure on Russia's war economy.
