Allies Stress Ukraine's Inclusion in Peace Talks Amid Trump-Putin Meeting

European allies have unified in their stance that Ukraine must play a key role in any peace negotiations with Russia, coinciding with Donald Trump's impending meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. A joint statement from leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission underscored that the path to peace cannot exclude Ukraine, with President Volodyr Zelensky warning against agreements made without Kyiv as "dead decisions."

While Trump has expressed a willingness to facilitate a trilateral meeting that includes Zelensky, the outcome remains uncertain as Putin and Zelensky have not interacted face-to-face since the onset of the invasion over three years ago. Trump hinted at potential territorial compromises, provoking a fierce response from Zelensky who firmly opposed any deals that would reward Russia's aggression and insisted on Ukraine's right to autonomy in the decision-making process. Amid these developments, European leaders conveyed their ongoing military, diplomatic, and financial assistance to Ukraine, highlighting the broader implications for European security if negotiations are made in isolation from Ukrainian input.