International allies of Ukraine aiming to strengthen their stance, prior to the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin - Strengthening Positions: European Allies of Ukraine Aim for Advantage Prior to Trump-Putin Meeting
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated meeting between US President Trump and Russian President Putin in Alaska, scheduled for Friday, Germany, the UK, and France are urging a unified transatlantic position to safeguard Ukraine's sovereignty.
The European leaders have expressed concerns about potential territorial concessions to Russia, particularly in the Donbas region and Crimea, and are advocating for continued military support for Ukraine, increased sanctions on Russia, and security guarantees to deter further Russian aggression.
In a joint statement, Germany, the UK, and France, along with other European leaders, have underlined that the path to peace cannot exclude Ukraine’s voice. They are emphasising the importance of transatlantic unity, close coordination with the US and NATO, to maintain a united front in supporting Ukraine militarily, economically, and diplomatically.
The leaders are also seeking clear definition and articulation of postwar "security guarantees" for Ukraine to prevent future invasions, pressing the US and Europe to specify what these guarantees entail. They are mindful of historical parallels, warning strongly against repeating mistakes like the 1938 Munich Agreement, where ceding strategic defensive lines led to collapse. They see similar risks if Ukraine is forced to yield fortified positions in Donbas.
In response to Trump's previous suggestion of a "territorial exchange" between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine has rejected such demands as unacceptable and called for Western security guarantees. The Ukrainian President, Zelensky, is scheduled to confer with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance at 3:00 PM.
Zelensky has warned against Moscow's deceptions before his arrival in Berlin, where he will meet with Merz and other European leaders. The video conference of Ukraine supporters with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Zelensky is planned for 2:00 PM.
A conference of the "Coalition of the Willing" is planned for 4:00 PM, to be hosted by Germany, the UK, and France, with von der Leyen also set to participate. Among other things, further courses of action to put pressure on Russia will be discussed.
The heads of state and government of Finland, Italy, and Poland are expected to join the discussions. The Russian army has recently captured two more villages in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, marking the largest area of ground gained by Russian forces in Ukraine since more than a year. Moscow demands that Kyiv cede the four partially occupied eastern Ukrainian regions and the annexed Crimean Peninsula, as well as renounce Western military aid and NATO membership.
Despite previous efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine having been unsuccessful, the European leaders remain steadfast in their efforts to reinforce their joint stance in high-level talks, aiming to shape the US approach in favor of Ukraine's territorial integrity and to fend off Russian demands for annexation.
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