Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reported proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, which would require Kyiv to cede regions in the east, sparked a firm response from European leaders on Saturday ahead of President Trump’s summit with the Kremlin leader in Alaska next week.
The seven European leaders welcomed Trump’s efforts to negotiate a ceasefire as part of an effort to permanently end the nearly three-and-a-half-year war in Eastern Europe, but argued that “only” an approach that mixes support for Ukraine, “active” diplomacy and additional pressure on Moscow can lead to peace on the front lines.
“We stand ready to support this work diplomatically as well as by upholding our substantive military and financial support to Ukraine, including through the work of the Coalition of the Willing, and by upholding and imposing restrictive measures against the Russian Federation,” the European officials said in a lengthy, joint statement on Saturday, adding that a resolution “must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”
The statement was 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, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Putin presented a ceasefire proposal to Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff during their Wednesday meeting in Moscow, their fifth gathering this year.
While not all the details are clear, the Russian leader reportedly suggested that Ukraine withdraw its armed forces from the Donetsk region, along with Luhansk, to place both sides on a path to a ceasefire. In that case, Russia would fully control Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea, a peninsula Moscow annexed in 2014.
Trump signaled Friday at the White House that he is open to land swaps as part of a potential peace deal. Hours later, the president revealed that he would be meeting with Putin next Friday.
“We’re going to get some back, and we’re going to get some switched. There’ll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both,” the president told reporters when asked about negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the idea of Ukraine cede large chunks of it’s land as part of the talks, saying Saturday morning that “of course, we will not give Russia any awards for what it has done.”
“The Ukrainian people deserve peace,” he said, emphasizing that “Ukrainians will not give their land to an occupier.”
European leaders reiterated their calls for Ukraine to have “credible” security guarantees as part of the peace talks to “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 leaders said on Saturday. “The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
The group also emphasized their commitment to the notion that “international borders must not be changed by force” and that the “current line of contact should be the starting point” of the peace talks.
Vice President Vance, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukraine representatives and European allies met in Kent, England to discuss Trump’s efforts to forge peace in Eastern Europe on Saturday.
Zelensky’s top adviser, Andriy Yermak, who attended the meeting, along with Ukraine’s Secretary of National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, said the current front lines should not be considered borders if the eventual peace deal is reached.
“Our positions were clear: a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognizing the occupation. A ceasefire is necessary — but the front line is not a border,” Yermak said on social media.
“Our partners support us not only in words — assistance will continue in the military, financial, and sanctions spheres until the aggression stops,” he added, thanking Vance for “respecting all points of view, and for his efforts toward a reliable peace.”
In response to Putin’s ceasefire outline this week, European leaders offered a counterproposal, one brought up during the meetings in England, which reportedly stated that a ceasefire must take place before any other concessions advance and that territorial swaps must be reciprocal — meaning if Ukraine pulls out of some territories, Russia’s military must do the same.
A U.S. official told NewsNation that meetings in Kent yielded “significant progress” toward Trump’s goal of ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
Meanwhile, the White House is considering inviting Zelensky to the summit in Alaska. The administration signaled it is open to host a meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky, but noted that it is still planning a bilateral meeting between just the president and Kremlin leader.
European leaders, in their Saturday statement, said they will continue to cooperate “closely” with Trump, the U.S. and Zelensky to achieve a peace deal in Ukraine.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
