Allies Insist on Ukraine's Inclusion in Peace Talks with Russia

In a joint statement, European allies emphasized that any peace talks regarding Ukraine must involve Kyiv, as US President Trump's meeting with Putin looms. Zelensky condemned suggestions of territorial exchanges and reiterated the importance of Ukrainian sovereignty in negotiations.

European allies have united in renewed support for Ukraine, asserting that any peace discussions with Russia must incorporate Kyiv's participation. A joint statement from the leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission was released ahead of US President Donald Trump's anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

A White House official has indicated that Trump is open to a trilateral meeting that would also include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but, for the moment, the agenda still centers on a direct Trump-Putin summit as originally proposed by the Russian leader. Zelensky has declared that agreements made without Ukraine's involvement would be fruitless, labeling them "dead decisions." Trump had previously commented about commencing discussions solely with Putin, although he expressed hope for a trilateral meeting.

The possibility of Putin agreeing to such discussions remains uncertain, as he has consistently rebuffed opportunities for personal meetings with Zelensky since the onset of the invasion over three years ago. During his remarks, Trump suggested that possible territorial exchanges might be necessary for peace, which drew a strong rebuttal from Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader firmly stated, "We will not reward Russia for what it has perpetrated," further emphasizing that decisions made without Ukraine would undermine the quest for genuine peace.

The US media partner, CBS, reported that the Biden administration is attempting to persuade European allies to accept a peace deal that may entail Russia retaining control over the entire Donbas region and the Crimean Peninsula. However, the allied leaders stressed in their statement that "international borders must not be changed by force" and reaffirmed Ukraine's right to self-determination. They committed to supporting Ukraine through diplomatic, military, and financial means.

As the situation persists, European leaders have expressed apprehensions about being sidelined in the negotiations between the US and Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron articulated concerns over Europe’s exclusion, citing that "Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution."

Zelensky, in communicating with his European counterparts, expressed gratitude for their support, emphasizing that any conclusion to the war must be equitable. He insisted on the need for a robust and reliable framework for peace that serves the interests of both Ukraine and European nations alike.

The diplomatic efforts by US officials included a visit by Vice President JD Vance to the UK, where he engaged with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Zelensky's senior aides. The Ukrainian aides stressed the importance of Ukraine’s presence at any negotiating table, with Andriy Yermak declaring that "a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table."

The upcoming summit in Alaska marks a notable moment as it will be the first meeting between sitting US and Russian presidents since 2021. Since then, tensions escalated; Moscow claimed annexation of four Ukrainian regions in 2022 without achieving substantial military success. The last significant encounter between Zelensky and Putin occurred in 2019 during a summit in Paris, a context that reveals the ongoing complexities of the conflict in Ukraine.