August 13, 2025 | 09:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - European leaders have urged U.S. President Donald Trump to tell Russia's Putin that Ukraine's interest must be upheld and European security must not be compromised. As reported by Politico, Trump is scheduled to meet Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15, to discuss efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which is now in its third year.
During his second term, Trump has been accused of shunning Europe, even pressuring the European Union in trade negotiations just last month.
Although no European leaders or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were invited to Alaska, Trump's video call with European leaders and his promise to try to reclaim some territory for Ukraine demonstrate that Europe still wields influence.
Role and Influence of Europe
The European Union has now become the main source of financial and military support for Ukraine and holds frozen Russian assets worth tens of billions of euros, which is a crucial factor in long-term peace efforts.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, August 12, 26 out of 27 EU member states, except Hungary, stated, "We, the Leaders of the European Union, welcome the efforts of President Trump towards ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine."
However, they added that the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. European leaders also emphasized, "International borders must not be changed by force."
Pressure Agenda on Russia
Chancellor Angela Merkel mentioned that Wednesday's discussions addressed options to pressure Russia, the possibility of peaceful talks, territorial claims, and security guarantees.
The EU's Chief Foreign Policy Officer, Kaja Kallas, emphasized after last Monday's emergency meeting of European foreign ministers that no concessions can be discussed until Russia agrees to a full ceasefire. "The sequencing of the steps is important. First, an unconditional ceasefire with a strong monitoring system and ironclad security guarantees," she said.
Kallas also promised to prepare a new package of sanctions, continue financial support for Ukraine, and push for Ukraine's membership process in the European Union.
Support Coalition for Ukraine
According to a report from Euronews, the virtual meeting on Wednesday was led by Merkel and attended by Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the leaders of Finland, France, Italy, Poland, the UK, the NATO Secretary General, as well as the heads of the Commission and Council of Europe.
Zelensky will join from Berlin before meeting Merkel. After that, Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will lead the coalition meeting around 04:30 p.m. Central European Time.
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