The European leaders emphasized that their support for Ukraine remains unwavering. Next week, consultations will follow in Washington between Ukraine, the US, the EU, and NATO.
After hours of talks in Anchorage, Trump and Putin proved unable to agree on an end to the war. Afterwards, Trump indicated that he does not value a temporary ceasefire, but prefers a comprehensive peace arrangement intended to sustainably end the war.
Although Trump spoke of his preference for a comprehensive solution, it remains unclear how this should be concretely implemented. During the talks in Alaska, no agreements were made about military de-escalation or troop withdrawals. Thus, the core issues that have persisted for years remain unanswered for now.
To reassure his European allies, Trump picked up the phone after the meeting. He spoke for over an hour with the leaders of the key EU countries. They were briefed on the content of the talks with Putin and emphasized that they stand behind the Ukrainian president. This joint support was shortly thereafter confirmed in a joint statement.
Zelensky was also informed. Trump spoke directly with him about the status. He made clear that he does not want to pressure Ukraine into a quick concession, but rather aims for an arrangement that respects the sovereignty and security of the country. Zelensky in turn confirmed that Ukraine continues to resist Russian demands.
The European leaders issued a joint statement in which they once again affirmed their support for Ukraine. They stressed that no arrangement is acceptable as long as it does not fully guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity and independence. The statement makes clear that Europe values a broadly supported approach, together with Washington and Kyiv.
In the same statement, the EU leaders expressed their appreciation for the talks Trump held with Putin. However, they emphasized that their support for Ukraine does not depend on negotiations from which Kyiv itself is not fully involved. This was intended to prevent the impression that Ukrainian interests might be decided without Ukrainian presence.
Next week, Zelensky will travel to Washington for a new consultation. This four-party meeting will bring him together with Trump, representatives of the European Union, and NATO. The purpose is to align positions and prevent Moscow from exploiting divisions among allies. It is expected that this consultation could be decisive for the next steps.