European Union leaders and senior parliamentarians from across Europe have urged that any deal emerging from Friday’s meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska must not involve Ukrainian territorial concessions.
The interventions come amid intensified Russian operations around Pokrovsk in Donetsk and concerns that Europe and Kyiv could be sidelined from the process.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, EU leaders said “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine” and that a just settlement must respect international law, including independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, with borders not changed by force. The text welcomed US efforts to end the war but underlined that meaningful talks require at least a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities. Hungary did not sigh this statement.
Separately, the chairs of foreign affairs committees from 27 European parliaments and the European Parliament warned that any arrangements concluded in Alaska on or after 15 August must “firmly uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty” and must not reward Russia with territory. The signatories also restated the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” and argued for European participation in talks to minimise risks to continental security.
The diplomatic push follows remarks from Mr Trump that “land swapping” would be part of discussions with Mr Putin. European officials fear concessions could be agreed without Ukraine at the table. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has convened virtual meetings for Wednesday with Mr Trump, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NATO and EU leaders to assemble common positions before the Alaska summit. Mr Trump has not confirmed his participation.
Mr Zelenskyy has rejected the idea that Ukraine should cede territory to secure a ceasefire, saying such an outcome would undermine international law and embolden further aggression. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser in the presidential office, said any settlement short of Russia’s strategic defeat would risk placing the terms of a ceasefire on Moscow’s footing. Kyiv has pressed for greater diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia while hostilities continue.
On the ground, open-source assessments indicated rapid Russian infiltration north of Pokrovsk in recent days, with analysts describing the next 24–48 hours as critical. Ukraine’s military said its forces were repelling small infantry groups attempting to breach defensive lines; it acknowledged the situation remained “difficult” but denied a breakthrough. A separate missile strike on a Ukrainian training facility left one soldier dead and 11 wounded, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Mr Trump has stated he will quickly assess whether Mr Putin is serious about a deal, describing the Alaska session as an initial “feel-out meeting.” He also twice misspoke on Monday that he would travel to Russia to meet Mr Putin; the summit is due to take place in the US state of Alaska on Friday 15 August.
European capitals are seeking firmer assurances that any framework will start with a ceasefire, protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and include durable security guarantees. Leaders also want Ukraine directly represented in the process. With Europe and Ukraine not invited to the summit, the Merz-led calls are intended to set out minimum conditions ahead of the meeting.
The parliamentary chairs’ statement echoes those themes, cautioning that Moscow may use negotiations to secure sanctions relief without accepting an unconditional ceasefire. They urged unity among allies and adherence to UN Charter principles. The document, shared by European media, was signed by counterparts from EU and non-EU countries as well as the chair of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee.
With the Alaska summit approaching, Europe’s position is clear: no settlement that changes borders by force, no agreement without Ukraine’s consent, and no territorial reward for aggression.
Kallas: Any settlement between Washington and Moscow cannot exclude Kyiv and the EU
