Amid growing international concerns, European leaders have reaffirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine, declaring that any path to peace must include Kyiv—especially as President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare to meet in Alaska later this week. Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission issued a joint declaration stating that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine” and calling for robust and credible security guarantees for both Ukraine and Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude toward European allies for their unwavering backing and reiterated that Ukraine will reject any territorial concessions. He emphasized that decisions affecting his country must involve Ukrainian participation, not be dictated by external powers.
Behind closed doors at the Chevening House summit in Kent, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy alongside Ukrainian and European representatives. According to sources, Europe presented a counterproposal to Moscow’s plan, demanding an immediate ceasefire and stipulating that any land-related arrangements must be reciprocal and include enforceable security guarantees. As one negotiator put it, “You can’t start a process by ceding territory in the middle of fighting.”
Ukrainian and European officials have already rejected Putin’s earlier proposal—communicated via a U.S. envoy—which suggested a ceasefire in exchange for Ukraine ceding parts of its eastern regions. Instead, the counterproposal focused on fairness, sovereignty, and mutual respect.
The upcoming Alaska summit marks the first potential U.S.–Russia presidential meeting since 2021, drawing intense global attention. Trump has suggested the possibility of “territorial swapping” as a way to end the war—an idea met with strong opposition from both Kyiv and its European allies.
With tensions high and the stakes enormous, Europe’s message remains clear: no lasting peace can be achieved without Ukraine firmly at the table.
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