EU Leaders Push for Role in Ukraine Peace Talks
Nordic-Baltic 8 Back U.S. Effort, Hungary Objects
European leaders scrambled this week to position themselves ahead of Friday’s high-stakes Alaska summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The mood: cautious support mixed with anxiety about being sidelined in talks over Ukraine’s future.
On Tuesday, all EU members except Hungary backed a joint statement welcoming U.S. efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The declaration stressed that any Alaska deal must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and Europe’s security.
The next day, the Coalition of the Willing — led by Germany, France, and the UK — held a virtual meeting. Leaders backed Trump’s push for peace but warned that “international borders must not be changed by force.” They vowed to stay active in shaping any final agreement.
Coalition Voices: Support and Caution
France’s President Emmanuel Macron called the U.S.-Russia meeting “perfectly natural” and even “good for pacifying the environment.” But he insisted that issues affecting Europe’s security must involve European coordination.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer thanked Trump directly in a phone call, praising his effort to bring Putin to the table. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe “wants Trump to succeed” but stressed that European and Ukrainian security must remain central.
Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Poland’s new President Karol Nawrocki joined others in backing the initiative. Spain’s Pedro Sanchez repeated that Ukraine must have a voice in decisions about its future. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot called U.S. involvement “valuable” but warned against blurring the roles of “aggressor” and “victim.”
The Netherlands, Portugal, and Luxembourg also voiced unity. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro summed up the mood: “Together, we must achieve a ceasefire and a just, lasting peace in Ukraine.”
Nordic-Baltic 8 Stand Firm
Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania issued a separate joint statement supporting Trump’s initiative. They pledged continued military and financial support for Ukraine while pushing for diplomatic solutions that protect both European and Ukrainian security.
Several of these states also joined the Coalition meeting. Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina noted the importance of pre-summit coordination with Washington and Kyiv. “We were in agreement on Ukraine’s territorial integrity,” she wrote.
Hungary Breaks Ranks
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban openly rejected the EU’s joint statement, making his country the lone holdout. He criticized the Alaska talks as a bilateral process that leaves Europe “out in the cold.” Orban urged the EU to launch its own summit with Russia, claiming Brussels had “backed a lost cause” in Ukraine.
Slovakia, often at odds with EU sanctions policy, offered no comment but has historically resisted hard-line measures against Moscow.
Balkan and Central European Input
Balkan nations — including Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria — also took part in Wednesday’s session. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala welcomed the presence of U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the coalition meeting. Croatia’s Andrej Plenkovic warned against rewarding the aggressor in any peace deal.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan stressed the stakes for his country, which shares the EU’s longest border with Ukraine. “We need a peace that protects both Ukraine’s and Europe’s interests,” he wrote.
Balancing Hopes and Fears
Europe’s leaders agree on one point: Ukraine must not be excluded from talks that shape its future. Yet as Trump and Putin prepare to meet, many worry the continent could be sidelined. The Alaska summit could bring a breakthrough — or deepen the divides over how to secure peace without sacrificing principles.
For now, Europe waits, watching events in Alaska with a mix of hope, unease, and determination to remain at the table.
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