BRUSSELS, Aug. 16 — Top European leaders on Saturday stressed that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
In a joint statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and European Council President Antonio Costa said Trump had briefed them and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in the day on the Alaska talks.
The leaders urged further negotiations involving Zelensky, whom Trump is expected to meet soon. In the statement, the leaders underlined that Ukraine must receive “ironclad security guarantees” to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They welcomed Trump’s declaration that Washington was prepared to provide such guarantees, expressing readiness to work with Trump and Zelensky toward a trilateral summit “with European support.”
“No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s pathway to the EU and NATO,” the statement said.
Reaffirming their support for Kiev, the leaders stressed that Ukraine alone must decide on its territory and that international borders “must not be changed by force.”
The statement pledged continued support for Ukraine. As long as fighting continues, the leaders said, Europe will maintain pressure on Russia through strengthened sanctions and broader economic measures targeting its war economy.
Trump said Friday he had a “very productive meeting” with Putin in Alaska, noting that the two sides agreed on “many points” and made some progress, though no deal was reached. (Xinhua)
