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The European Union and allied leaders on Saturday called for a trilateral summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressing readiness to play an active role in diplomatic solutions and security guarantees following Trump's three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The joint statement, issued by leaders of the EU, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Finland, came hours after Trump briefed them on his discussions with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska—the first meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents since the Ukraine war began nearly three-and-a-half years ago.
"We are ready to work on a trilateral summit with President Trump and President Zelenskyy with European support," the leaders stated, welcoming Trump's announcement that the U.S. is prepared to provide security guarantees.
EU Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, the U.K., Finland and Poland in emphasizing that any diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's "vital security interests."
The European leaders, identifying themselves as the "Coalition of the Willing," outlined firm positions on any potential peace agreement:
"We are clear that Ukraine must have firm security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement read. "The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role."
The coalition stressed that no restrictions should be placed on the Ukrainian Armed Forces or third-country cooperation and that Russia cannot veto Ukraine's EU and NATO membership.
"Decisions about its territory are Ukraine's responsibility. International borders cannot be changed by force," they stated.
Von der Leyen thanked Trump for briefing the EU on his discussions with Putin, stating, "The EU is working closely with Ukraine and the U.S. to achieve a just and lasting peace. Strong security guarantees that protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests are essential."
The European statement emphasized that support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia would continue, referencing Trump's own phrase that there is "no deal until there is a deal."
Zelenskyy announced on X that he will meet with Trump in Washington on Monday to "discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war."
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Trump, posting on his Truth Social platform, confirmed that Zelenskyy will visit Washington on Monday afternoon, describing his Alaska meeting with Putin as going "very well" despite not reaching a final agreement.
"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere cease-fire agreement, which oftentimes does not hold up," Trump wrote.
"If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people’s lives will be saved," the U.S. president added.
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