KYIV, Aug 10: Ahead of the scheduled August 15 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that any peace settlement must be “fair” and include robust security guarantees.
Zelenskyy underscored the need for “credible, long-term” guarantees to enable Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning that the terms of peace must protect not only Ukraine but also the security of European nations.
“The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations,” Zelenskyy said on a social media post on X.
Zelenskyy said that Kyiv “values and fully supports” a joint statement by European leaders on achieving peace in Ukraine while protecting Ukrainian and European interests.
Moreover, European leaders have welcomed plans by Donald Trump to hold talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on ending the war in Ukraine, but called for continued support for Kyiv and pressure on Moscow to achieve a just and lasting peace.
The statement by France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and the European Commission late yesterday came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted that Kyiv will not surrender land to Russia to buy peace.
The statement signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, expressed strong support for Trump’s diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities and end Russia’s war of aggression.
“I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations,” he said, welcoming the joint statement on peace issued by key European leaders.
In a joint statement signed by leaders on Peace for Ukraine, the leaders emphasised that a lasting resolution would require a “combination of active diplomacy, sustained military and financial support for Ukraine, and continued pressure on Moscow through sanctions”.
“We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities, ” the statement reads.
It also underscored that the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. “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 leaders in a joint statement reaffirmed that the current line of contact should serve as the starting point for talks, reiterating that international borders must not be changed by force. The statement condemned Russia’s invasion as a blatant violation of the UN Charter and other international agreements, and pledged ongoing unity in support of Ukraine.
“We will continue to cooperate closely with President Trump, the United States of America, President Zelenskyy, and the people of Ukraine, for peace that protects our vital security interests,” the leaders said.
The statement reiterated that Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Budapest Memorandum, and successive Russian commitments.
It also underlined the unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The leaders continue to stand firmly by the side of Ukraine and are united as Europeans and determined to jointly promote our interests. And we will continue to cooperate closely with President Trump and with the United States of America, and with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, for a peace in Ukraine that protects our vital security interests.
(UNI)
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