European Allies Insist That Ukraine Have to Be in Peace Negotiations

Ahead of a planned summit between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska later on Friday, leaders from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission have issued a coordinated warning that Ukraine must be directly involved in any peace agreement with Russia. Their joint stance comes amid mounting speculation that Trump may seek a swift resolution to the conflict, even if it involves controversial compromises. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was unequivocal, declaring that any deal struck without Kyiv’s participation would be “dead decisions.” He directly pushed back against Trump’s proposal of possible territorial exchanges that would grant Russia permanent control over Donbas and Crimea, two regions whose occupation Kyiv regards as illegal under international law. European leaders reinforced that “international borders should not be altered by force” and reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing military, financial, and diplomatic support for Ukraine. The strong statements underscore a deep concern in European capitals that they could be excluded from shaping the eventual settlement. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that Europe “must be part of the solution,” warning against any bilateral U.S. Russia arrangement. The Alaska meeting, the first U.S. Russia presidential summit since 2021, comes as Moscow retains control of vast areas of eastern Ukraine.