European leaders have announced a coordinated effort to facilitate a high-stakes trilateral summit involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The proposal follows Trump’s recent meeting with Putin in Alaska, described by the U.S. leader as “very productive,” though no concrete agreements were reached.
In a joint statement issued Saturday, leaders from the European Commission, France, Italy, Germany, the UK, Finland, Poland, and the European Council emphasized the urgency of securing “ironclad security guarantees” for Ukraine. They stressed that Kyiv must retain full sovereignty over its military decisions and international alliances, stating: “Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s pathway to the EU and NATO.”
The initiative comes as Trump prepares to meet Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday, with European leaders pledging to maintain economic pressure on Russia through expanded sanctions targeting its wartime economy. “International borders must not be changed by force,” the statement affirmed, reiterating support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
While details of the proposed summit remain unclear, the move signals Europe’s strategic alignment with U.S. diplomatic efforts amid ongoing hostilities. Analysts suggest the proposed dialogue could reshape security dynamics in Eastern Europe, though skepticism persists about Moscow’s willingness to engage meaningfully.
