European leaders have cautiously welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's planned August 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, emphasizing the need to protect Ukraine's sovereignty amid discussions to end the three-year conflict. The talks, which Trump claims could involve territorial adjustments, have sparked intense diplomatic coordination among Western allies.
At a Saturday meeting at England's Chevening House, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and European representatives – including British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Ukrainian officials – debated strategies to balance peace efforts with security guarantees for Kyiv. A joint statement from seven European nations and the EU Commission stressed: "The path to peace cannot be decided without Ukraine."
Key European Demands
Leaders outlined non-negotiable principles:
Ceasefire as precondition for negotiations
Current battle lines as starting point
Prohibition of border changes by force
While details of Trump's proposed "territorial swap" remain undisclosed, European diplomats confirmed submitting a counterproposal focused on long-term security frameworks. "Any deal must enable Ukraine to defend itself effectively," the statement emphasized, reflecting concerns about Russia's regional ambitions.
