- Eight European leaders welcomed President Trump’s push to halt the war and said Ukraine must receive “ironclad” security guarantees.
- They backed further talks including President Zelenskyy and signaled readiness for a U.S.–Ukraine–Russia summit with European support.
- Trump and Zelenskyy say they plan to meet at the White House on Monday, Aug. 18, following the Alaska summit with Putin.
The Big Picture
In a joint European Council statement),issued early Saturday, leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Friedrich Merz, Keir Starmer, Alexander Stubb, Donald Tusk, António Costa, and Ursula von der Leyen said they were briefed by President Trump after his Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin and welcomed efforts “to stop the killing” in Ukraine. They insisted Ukraine must receive “ironclad” security guarantees and stressed that Russia has no veto over Kyiv’s path to the EU or NATO.
What’s New
The leaders endorsed moving to “further talks” that include President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said they are ready to support a trilateral summit. They emphasized no limits should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or cooperation with partners, and pledged to keep tightening sanctions on Russia until a just and lasting peace is achieved. Trump, echoing his line that “there’s no deal until there’s a deal,” said he would meet Zelenskyy soon; both indicated that meeting is planned for Monday, Aug. 18, in Washington.
What They’re Saying
Context
Trump and Putin met in Alaska for nearly three hours on Aug. 15 without announcing a cease-fire or detailed roadmap. Both sides spoke of “progress,” but neither offered specifics. European governments have repeatedly cautioned that any arrangement must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; international borders, they underscored, cannot be changed by force. The joint statement also said the “Coalition of the Willing” is ready to play an active role and welcomed U.S. readiness to provide security guarantees, according to the leaders’ text.
What’s Next
The White House consultations continue as Trump prepares to host Zelenskyy on Monday, Aug. 18. If groundwork advances, leaders signaled openness to a trilateral session with European support. Key issues remain unresolved, including the scope of security guarantees, enforcement mechanisms, and Ukraine’s long-term integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions.
The Bottom Line
No deal and no cease-fire were announced in Alaska, but diplomacy is accelerating. Whether Monday’s Washington meeting leads to a trilateral summit—and concrete terms—will determine if this momentum can translate into an actual peace framework.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
