Europe Unites in Support of Ukraine: No Peace Without Kyiv

Recent support from European nations has reinforced the message that Ukraine must be involved in any discussions to end the conflict with Russia. As Donald Trump prepares for separate talks with Putin, leaders from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission stated unequivocally that the future of Ukraine cannot be decided without its input. President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that agreements made without Ukraine would be "dead decisions."

Commentaries around Trump's proposed trilateral discussions hint at tension, as a suggestion to swap territories was met with immediate backlash from Zelensky. He emphasized that rewarding Russia for its actions is unacceptable, asserting Ukraine's sovereignty and the importance of a fair negotiation process. European officials raised concerns over their exclusion from the Alaska meeting, where they believe their security interests would be sidelined, further complicating the peace effort.

During the discussions, European leaders reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine diplomatically, militarily, and financially, asserting that "international borders must not be changed by force." The diplomatic discourse reflects a united front by European allies to ensure Ukraine’s engagement in achieving a sustainable peace.

While the ongoing war has seen significant Russian territorial gains, both Ukrainian offensives and continued Western support indicate the complexity of finding a stable resolution. The upcoming summit in Alaska is considered pivotal but fraught with uncertainty, particularly regarding negotiations that could reshape power dynamics in Europe and the governance of Ukrainian territory.