European Leaders Issue Joint Statement Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting, Emphasizing Ukraine’s Role in Peace Process

Kokcha News Agency: European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, have released a joint statement regarding the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15.

In the statement, the leaders expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to halt the deaths in Ukraine and end Russia’s aggressive war. However, they emphasized that Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to self-determination must be respected.

The statement read: “We welcome President Trump’s efforts to stop the deaths in Ukraine and bring an end to Russia’s war of aggression. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the principle that international borders should not be changed by force, stating: “We remain committed to the principle that international borders should not be altered by the use of force.”

The statement also highlighted European unity, saying: “As Europeans, we stand together and are determined to jointly support our interests. We will continue to work closely with President Trump, the U.S., Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the people of Ukraine to protect our vital security interests and achieve peace in Ukraine.”