European leaders have united in a strong message: Ukraine must be at the table in any peace negotiations with Russia. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission issued a joint statement reaffirming this stance. Their declaration came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that any agreements made without Kyiv’s involvement would be meaningless. “Decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine are dead decisions,” he said. The White House later suggested Trump might consider a three-way meeting with both Zelensky and Putin.
Trump previously hinted he would meet Putin first, saying he wanted to “start off with Russia.” The U.S. president expressed optimism about eventually including Ukraine. Yet Putin has avoided direct talks with Zelensky since the invasion began in 2022.
Reports suggest the U.S. might push for a deal where Russia keeps Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. Zelensky firmly rejected this idea. “We will not reward Russia for its aggression,” he declared.
France’s Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Ukraine must be at the table—and so must Europe. “Our security is at stake,” he said. The continent has backed Ukraine with military aid and sanctions against Russia.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Zelensky’s top aides over the weekend. Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, stressed that lasting peace requires Ukraine’s participation.
The upcoming Alaska summit marks the first direct talks between U.S. and Russian leaders since 2021. That meeting preceded Russia’s full-scale invasion. Now, with no clear military victory in sight, diplomacy may be the only path forward—but only if Ukraine must be at the table.
For more political updates, visit London Pulse News.
