As early as this Friday (August 15), president Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in Alaska. European NATO leaders and partners are afraid that Ukraine will gotta comply with the dictatorship of peace after talks – possibly even with territorial crises.
German abroad Minister Johann Wadephul presented Berlin's position. He opposed the territorial recession on the part of Ukraine in exchange for peace in the war waged by Russia.
"Violence cannot decision borders," he wrote on X. The German government supports U.S. president Donald Trump's goal of ending the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The consequence must be "fair and lasting peace," he added.
Pressure on Ukrainian sovereignty
In a joint message issued on Monday, August 11, in Brussels, 26 EU Heads of State and Government stressed that "international borders cannot be changed by force". A fair and lasting peace that ensures stableness and safety must respect global law.
They besides stated that they would proceed to support Ukraine on their way to EU membership. Of the 27 EU associate States, only Hungary did not support this statement.
The Heads of Government of large Britain and Canada – Keir Starmer and Mark Carney – besides stressed that Ukraine cannot be imposed on peace. Both Prime Ministers stressed that Ukraine's future must be characterised by freedom, sovereignty and self-determination," said the spokesperson for the British government.
He added that Starmer and Carney besides welcomed US president Donald Trump's diplomatic efforts to "bring peace."
Territorial exchange
Trump late mentioned the "exchange of territories" between Ukraine and Russia as a possible component of the agreement between these countries. The president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski ruled out the surrender of Russian territory in exchange for ending the fighting. This in turn caused Trump's misunderstanding. The president of the United States expressed frustration over Zelenski's statement, because, as he said, "the exchange will happen".
The president of the United States is already recovering his expectations of gathering Putin. Let's see what's on his mind. If this is simply a fair deal, I will tell the EU and NATO leaders and president Zelensk about it. I think I'll call him first and then call them out of respect. I can say good luck, keep fighting. Or: we can come to an agreement – Trump said during a press conference in the White House.
Merz calls a virtual gathering of leaders
Trump and Putin are planning to meet in Alaska on Friday. European allies of Ukraine are increasingly seeking to include them in possible ceasefire negotiations. Therefore, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz convenes on Wednesday (13.08.201025) in the afternoon a virtual gathering of the Heads of State and European Government, which are besides to be attended by Donald Trump, his deputy J.D. Vance and the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski.
According to German government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius, the gathering will be attended by German, French, UK, Italian, Polish and Finnish leaders, as well as European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Council president António Costa and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
