European leaders warn against territorial concessions as Washington prepares high-stakes Alaska meeting between US and Russian presidents.
European leaders have expressed cautious support for US President Donald Trump’s plan to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, while stressing that any peace deal for Ukraine must protect Kyiv’s sovereignty and Europe’s security.
In a joint statement late Saturday, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission pledged to maintain military and financial aid to Ukraine. They warned that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine” and called for “robust and credible security guarantees” to defend its territorial integrity.
The statement came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected any deal that would involve ceding land to Russia, warning that it would only embolden future aggression. Trump has suggested that a “territorial swap” could be part of an agreement, though no details have been released.
At Chevening House in the UK, US Vice President JD Vance met British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukrainian officials, and European representatives to discuss Trump’s peace push. Ukrainian chief of staff Andriy Yermak reiterated that “a ceasefire is necessary – but the front line is not a border,” ruling out territorial concessions.
Reports suggest European officials have presented a counterproposal requiring a ceasefire before further talks, insisting any territorial exchange must be reciprocal and backed by firm security guarantees.
While Trump is reportedly open to a trilateral summit with Zelenskyy and Putin, US officials say the Alaska meeting is currently planned as a bilateral session at Moscow’s request.
The proposed talks mark the first potential US–Russia presidential summit since 2021. Meanwhile, fighting grinds on along the 1,000-kilometre front line, with Russian forces holding roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory but making only limited gains in their summer offensive.
In Kyiv’s central square, hundreds of small flags commemorate fallen soldiers. “Not a single serviceman will agree to cede territory,” said resident Olesia Petritska. “Ukraine will not surrender.”