EU calls on Trump to push for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire before negotiations
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump should conduct negotiations with Vladimir Putin only on the condition of a ceasefire or a reduction in the intensity of hostilities, according to a joint statement by the leaders of EU countries and the President of the European Commission.
The statement emphasized that meaningful negotiations can only take place under conditions of a ceasefire or a decrease in the intensity of fighting.
“We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations,” the joint statement said.
Additionally, the EU leaders in the statement also called on Trump to conduct negotiations with Putin while protecting the vital security interests of Ukraine and Europe.
The joint statement was signed by: French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Trump-Putin negotiations on peace in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump announced a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. Before this, the American leader did not rule out the possibility of a territorial exchange between the two countries.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Putin may present Trump with an ultimatum at the meeting - to recognize the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine in exchange for the withdrawal of Russian troops from other regions and areas.
At the same time, the leaders of the EU countries and Ukraine have put forward their proposal for a peaceful settlement to guide the negotiations between the American and Russian leaders.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Putin’s proposal is an attempt to repeat the Crimean scenario. The head of state emphasized that Kyiv will not allow this to happen.
