BERLIN (Aug 16): European leaders on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to support Ukraine and sustain pressure on Russia until the war concludes, following a summit in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a joint statement, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the next step should involve talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They expressed readiness to work with Trump and Zelenskyy towards a three-way summit with European support.
Trump, after meeting Putin, suggested Ukraine should agree to a settlement to end the conflict, saying both he and Putin believed a direct peace deal was preferable to a ceasefire — a stance previously resisted by Kyiv and its European partners.
The joint declaration, also endorsed by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Council President Antonio Costa, stressed that Ukraine must receive “ironclad” security guarantees to safeguard its sovereignty.
“Decisions on territory will rest with Ukraine. International borders cannot be altered by force. Our commitment to Ukraine will persist. We are resolute in keeping Ukraine strong to achieve an end to hostilities and a just, lasting peace,” the leaders said.
They added: “As long as the bloodshed in Ukraine continues, we remain prepared to intensify pressure on Russia. Sanctions and broader economic measures will be reinforced to weaken Russia’s war economy until a fair and enduring peace is secured.”
Source: Reuters
