German Chancellor Merz and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stressed the positive outcomes from the online meeting with U. S. President Trump. According to the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Ukraine must be given security guarantees against Russia. European leaders have stressed that international borders must not be changed by force.
Top European politicians welcomed their call with US president Donald Trump on Wednesday, 13 April afternoon. The online meeting took place ahead of the summit between Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin scheduled for Friday, August 15 in Alaska, U. S. Top European leaders said they “largely share” the aims of the upcoming summit which will focus on the Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Von der Leyen: Common ground strengthened
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was also present at the online meeting with Mr Trump, mentioned that it was “a very good call”. She also wrote that Europe, the U. S. and NATO have strengthened the common ground for Ukraine and underlined the desire to get “a lasting peace”.
“After the day’s talks, the ball is in Putin’s court,” said NATO chief Mark Rutte. He also thanked Trump for his leadership in setting up Friday’s meeting with the Russian ruler. The Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has been “deeply satisfied” with the unity of purpose showed by partners taking part in today’s calls.
“Territorial issues concerning Ukraine cannot be the subject of negotiations and will only be discussed with the Ukrainian president,” French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned after the meeting.
Mr Merz said that if there is no movement from Russia towards peace, then Europe and the US will have to put more pressure on Putin.
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Zelenskyy to Trump: Do not trust Russians
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said after the online meeting that he felt positive about US support. However, he also warned President Trump that Vladimir Putin still plans to occupy all of Ukraine.
“As long as Russia takes no steps toward peace, we must continue to exert pressure on it and strengthen support for Ukraine,” wrote Zelenskyy on social media platform.
Recent statements from Moscow show that there are plenty of good reasons to suspect the Russians. Also on Wednesday, the Kremlin said its stance on ending the war “has not changed”. In other words, Moscow is still demanding the full withdrawal of Ukrainian military forces from key Ukrainian regions. Russia also insists that Kyiv must abandon its NATO ambitions.
