Talks in Alaska: Europeans with their own Ukraine proposal

Ukraine war

Talks in Alaska: Europeans with their own Ukraine proposal

US President Trump wants to negotiate the future of Ukraine with Kremlin chief Putin in a few days – without their participation. Now the Europeans mix in and strengthen their backs to the country.

Before the planned meeting of US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, European countries make their own proposal. “We continue to stick to the principle that international borders must not be changed by violence,” says a joint explanation of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Great Britain, Finland and the EU Commission. “The current front course should be the starting point for negotiations,” it continues.

The Europeans emphasize that sensible negotiations could only take place “as part of a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities”. Robust and credible security guarantees that enabled Ukraine to effectively defend their sovereignty are also necessary. For a perspective NATO accession, there is no dedicated statement in the explanation and also not whether the United States should be part of the security guarantees.

The Europeans also continue to assure Ukraine extensive military and financial help. They continue to work closely with Trump, the USA, the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj and the Ukrainian people. The heads of state and government emphasize that a path to peace could not be decided without Ukraine. “Ukraine has freedom to decide on its own fate,” says the explanation.

Trump wants to meet Putin in Alaska on Friday – whether there will also be a meeting between Putin and Selenskyj. The Ukrainian kept demanding such a conversation. Trump also emphasized the need for direct conversations between Moscow and Kiev at the highest level, but last said that they were not a prerequisite for meeting Putin himself. The Kremlin chief was rather behavior with a view to a possible three-way summit. He believes that such a meeting is possible, but the conditions for it are still far away, he explained last.

According to US media reports, Putin asked Trump before the upcoming meeting that Russia will receive full control over the eastern Ukrainian areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. This would mean the disclosure of several thousand square kilometers and strategically important cities through the Ukrainian army.

According to a report by the newspaper “Wall Street Journal”, Putin made this proposal to visit US negotiators Steve Witkoff on Wednesday in Moscow. On Friday, the White House and the Kremlin confirmed that Trump’s summit with Putin should take place on August 15th in the northern US state of Alaska.

According to a report by the “New York Times”, Putin, in return, would agree to the full control of the Donbass of a ceasefire, which would freeze the current combat lines elsewhere, among other things in the areas of Cherson and Saporischschja, where Russian troops also control parts.

Trump vaguely spoke in Washington on an exchange of areas that were previously held either by Russian or Ukrainian troops, “to both sides”. He did not give details. “We look at territory that has been competitive for three and a half years.” It should also be returned a little.