America’s European allies issued a statement directed at President Donald Trump that says Kiev must be involved in any agreement to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump is scheduled to hold a bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,” leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Britain and Finland, and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement.
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said, “The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously.” She added, “Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine’s and the whole of Europe’s security.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, “We cannot accept in any case that territorial questions are discussed or even decided between Russia and America over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians. I assume that the American government sees it the same way.”
Last week, the Kremlin said Putin was opposed to Zelensky attending the summit. US officials said the White House is open to including the Ukrainian leader.
Trump has said a deal to end the war in Ukraine will involve “some swapping of territories,” suggesting Washington is in agreement that Kiev will have to make territorial concessions to Moscow. However, Zelensky has stated that Kiev will not agree to cede any Ukrainian territory.
