Brussels: European capitals are abuzz with diplomatic activity ahead of the historic summit in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The upcoming talks have prompted a flurry of statements and urgent meetings, exposing subtle differences in tone but a shared sense of unease across Europe. There is widespread fear of being sidelined in the Ukraine peace talks, which could have significant implications for the continent's security.
According to Anadolu Agency, all European Union member states, except Hungary, have backed a joint statement expressing support for Washington's initiative to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, they insist that any agreement emerging from the Alaska summit must ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and safeguard Europe's security. During a virtual session of the Coalition of the Willing, co-chaired by Germany, France, and the UK, leaders reiterated their support for US efforts while emphasizing that international borders must not be altered by force. They also pledged to remain active participants in shaping the peace process.
Countries like France, Germany, the UK, Italy, and Poland quickly reacted to the meeting as active members of the Coalition of the Willing. Each nation reiterated its unwavering support for Ukraine and its presence at the negotiation table. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of coordination with European nations when addressing issues concerning their collective security. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer thanked Trump for his efforts to bring Putin to the table. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that European and Ukrainian security interests must be safeguarded at the summit.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish President Karol Nawrocki, supported by Trump, also participated in the virtual meeting. They reiterated their commitment to diplomacy and peace efforts. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez echoed the need for Ukraine's involvement in decisions about its future, while Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot highlighted the importance of US-EU cooperation in achieving a lasting peace.
In a separate joint statement, eight Nordic and Baltic countries including Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, welcomed Trump's initiative and pledged continued military and financial support to Ukraine. Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Silina emphasized the importance of Ukraine's territorial integrity and coordination with the US.
Despite a unified European stance, countries like Hungary and Slovakia are signaling diverging positions. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the bilateral meeting between Moscow and Washington, urging Europe to negotiate directly with Russia. Orban expressed his discontent with the EU's joint statement and called for an EU-Russia summit. Slovakia, known for its opposition to sanctions against Russia, did not comment on the upcoming summit.
Balkan countries, including Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria, along with the Czech Republic, also participated in the virtual session. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic emphasized the importance of achieving peace without rewarding aggressors. Romanian President Nicusor Dan highlighted the significance of achieving a peace that considers both Ukraine's and Europe's interests, given Romania's proximity to Ukraine.