As U.S. President Donald Trump gears up for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, European leaders are urging a careful balancing act: support for any diplomatic breakthrough without easing pressure on Moscow or sidelining Ukraine.
At a gathering at Chevening House near London, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and representatives from Ukraine and key European allies hashed out the stakes. France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, Finland, and the European Commission voiced cautious optimism — but with clear red lines.
"We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests," read their joint statement. They underscored the need for "robust and credible security guarantees" to safeguard Ukraine's sovereignty and territory, and insisted "the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine."
Crucially, the leaders reaffirmed the principle that international borders must not be altered by force. They proposed using the current line of contact as the baseline for any territorial negotiations — and only within the framework of a ceasefire or reduced hostilities.
While Trump has teased a deal involving "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both," details remain under wraps. A European official confirmed that allies presented a counterproposal at Chevening but declined to elaborate.
With tensions running high in Europe and beyond, the message is clear: any peace plan must be anchored in legality, include Ukrainian leaders at the table, and reinforce a united front against aggression.
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EU stresses need to protect Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin talks
cgtn.com
