European leaders have welcomed the much-anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After it was decided that Trump and Putin will meet in Alaska in five days, European leaders expressed their support for the meeting.
Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, Finland, and the European Union issued a joint statement on Saturday, welcoming diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
No draft agreements have yet been prepared for ending the war in Ukraine.
However, U.S. President Trump has suggested that a land swap benefiting both Russia and Ukraine may be necessary.
He mentioned that Ukraine might have to give up a large portion of its territory.
On the same day, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance held discussions at Chevening House in London with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukrainian officials, and European representatives.
According to the international news agency Reuters, European leaders have outlined five conditions for a ceasefire agreement on Saturday.
Following this, European leaders issued a joint statement welcoming the ceasefire initiative but also outlined several conditions for the truce, Reuters reported.
The first condition concerns the security interests of Ukraine and Europe.
They stated that any agreement for a ceasefire must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Our shared belief is that a diplomatic solution must safeguard the vital security interests of Ukraine and Europe. In particular, Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed,” the joint statement from European leaders said.
The second condition relates to Ukraine’s participation in the negotiations.
When Trump announced the upcoming talks with Putin, he said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would also participate.
However, developments so far have not confirmed Zelensky’s participation. Both Russia and the United States have said that the meeting in Alaska will be between Trump and Putin only, without formally including Zelensky.
Zelensky himself released a video message on Friday emphasizing that Ukraine’s participation in any ceasefire is essential. He also stated that Ukraine would not be bound by any agreement made in their absence.
On Saturday, European leaders also stressed the importance of Ukraine’s involvement, Reuters reported.
“The path to peace cannot be decided without Ukraine’s consent. Ukraine must participate directly in negotiations and decision-making,” they said in the statement.
The European leaders’ third condition forbids any forcible change of international borders.
They declared that any Russian attempt to annex Ukrainian territory and alter borders by force is unacceptable.
“International borders cannot be changed by force. The starting point for talks must be the current line of contact,” they said.
Trump, meanwhile, had suggested that Ukraine might have to give up a significant amount of territory during a land swap, though he did not specify which areas.
The fourth condition calls for reciprocal land exchanges between the two countries.
They said the talks should be based on the current frontline (line of contact).
This means that each side should retain the territory it currently holds, and any land swaps must be equal in terms of gains and losses.
They also emphasized that a ceasefire should occur only after fighting diminishes.
Rather than an immediate ceasefire amid ongoing battles, hostilities should be reduced before negotiations take place.
Reuters reported that, according to the Wall Street Journal, European leaders have even drafted a potential agreement for the talks.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, called the European conditions “welcome,” while U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance also expressed support for all perspectives and received thanks from Yermak.
Reuters noted that these European conditions could present additional challenges to the proposed talks by Trump. However, since these stances are considered fair and necessary prerequisites for lasting peace, a solution through negotiations remains possible.
Following the confirmation of talks with Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Trump also spoke with European leaders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, held telephone conversations with leaders of China, India, and three countries from the former Soviet Union.
