Ukraine has secured strong backing from EU leaders and NATO ahead of the August 15 Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, amid fears Washington and Moscow may attempt to decide peace terms without Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy insists there is “no path to peace without Ukraine,” warning any deal reached in its absence would be “stillborn.” Trump has suggested possible territorial swaps “to the betterment of both sides,” alarming Kyiv and its allies. Russia currently controls nearly 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ruled out legal recognition of Russian land grabs, though he acknowledged parallels with Cold War–era de facto arrangements.
On Saturday, leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission declared that any settlement must safeguard Ukraine’s and Europe’s security. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed the U.S. must include both Ukraine and the EU in any agreement. Moscow dismissed European involvement as interference, with Dmitry Medvedev calling EU leaders “Euro-imbeciles.” Analysts warn Kyiv risks being sidelined, facing the choice of accepting an unfavorable deal or continuing the war with uncertain Western backing. Europe is reportedly preparing a counter-proposal to Trump’s plan, though details remain undisclosed.
