Ukraine's main European allies on Saturday praised US President Donald Trump's efforts to bring about a negotiated solution to the conflict with Russia, following the summit held in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Leaders from countries including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Finland, and Poland agreed to emphasize the importance of Washington's mediation in seeking a ceasefire and security guarantees for kyiv, while reaffirming the need to maintain pressure on Moscow as long as the military offensive persists.
In a series of statements, figures including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Trump's role has opened up new possibilities for dialogue and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be central to the upcoming rounds of negotiations. They also expressed their willingness to support a possible trilateral summit and to strengthen sanctions against Russia, in response to the stalemate on the front lines.
Starmer said Trump's efforts bring the end of Russia's"illegal war" in Ukraine "closer than ever" and praised his leadership as "commendable." The British leader revealed that he had spoken with Trump, Zelensky, and other European allies, and emphasized that"everyone is ready to support this next phase" of talks. For Starmer, the joint commitment of the United States and Europe to provide security guarantees to Ukraine represents"an important step forward" that could deter future acts of aggression by Moscow.
From Italy, Giorgia Meloni stated that"a window is finally opening to discuss peace in Ukraine," although she acknowledged that an agreement "remains complicated, but ultimately possible" after the military stalemate. The Italian leader emphasized that only Ukraine can define the conditions and that the"crucial point" is ensuring solid guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression. She explained that Trump revived a proposal inspired by NATO's Article 5, with a collective security clause to assist Ukraine in the event of an attack.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Kyiv's allies will continue to exert pressure on Russia within the so-called Coalition of the Willing and that obtaining"unfailing security guarantees" will be key to preventing Moscow from reneging on its commitments, as it has in the past. In his view, the Alaska summit did not achieve a ceasefire, but it strengthened the unity of support for Ukraine and opened the door to new measures, such as the possible creation of an international support force.
European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas praised Trump's"determination" in seeking an agreement, but warned that"Russia has no intention of ending this war in the near future." She emphasized that the EU and its partners had coordinated their positions ahead of the meeting in Alaska and that it is urgent to maintain support for Kyiv with additional sanctions and firmness on security matters.
For his part, Finnish President Alexander Stubb agreed that strong guarantees for Ukraine are essential to achieving lasting peace. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the meeting in Alaska"has made the world a safer place," noting that while no agreement was reached, tensions between the two powers had been reduced.
The meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, while not producing immediate progress toward a ceasefire, has been interpreted by European capitals as an important step toward opening a renewed diplomatic channel, with Zelensky as a key player and with a framework of guarantees that can ensure Ukraine's long-term stability and sovereignty.
