Europe rallies behind Ukraine after defiant Zelensky rejects any peace plan that gives up land to Russia
European leaders have rallied in support of Ukraine after a defiant Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Donald Trump’s suggestion that a peace plan may involve giving up land to Russia.
President Trump, who is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska as he seeks to bring an end to the war, has said the talks could include “some swapping of territories”.
But an angry President Zelensky hit back on Saturday, insisting Ukraine “will not give Russia any awards for what it has done” and that “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier”.
Members of the so-called coalition of the willing – countries which have pledged support for Ukraine against Russia’s aggression – were quick to show their support, insisting that any deal must include Ukraine and Europe, warning its security is “at stake”.
The show of unity came as the UK hosted a hastily arranged meeting of national security advisers from the US, Ukraine and European countries on Saturday. The meeting at David Lammy’s official country retreat, Chevening, Kent, and held with US vice-president JD Vance, was called to “discuss progress towards securing a just and lasting peace”.
Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday reiterated “his unwavering support for Ukraine and its people”, while France’s President Emmanuel Macron said the UK and Germany were “ready to work as productively as possible for the sake of real peace” after a call with Sir Keir and Chancellor Frederich Merz.
In their call, Sir Keir and President Macron said they “welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine and end Russia’s war of aggression, and discussed how to further work closely with President Trump and President Zelensky over the coming days”.
Confirming next week’s summit with the US president in Alaska, the Kremlin said Mr Trump and Mr Putin would focus on discussing options for achieving a “long-term peaceful resolution”.
President Putin is expected to use the meeting to set out his demands, including that Ukraine give up two eastern regions as well as Crimea.
Announcing the talks to reporters at the White House on Friday, Mr Trump said any deal may include the “some swapping of territories”, adding: “We’re going to get some back. We’re going to get some switched. There will be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.”
However, Mr Zelensky has rejected that notion and said his country would not violate its constitution by ceding territory.
“Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers,” he said. He also warned that any peace deal that excluded Kyiv would lead to “dead solutions”.
President Trump’s decision to meet Mr Putin has fuelled fears that Ukraine could be sidelined in the efforts to end the war.
But Mr Zelensky issued a staunch warning to the international community that any agreement reached without Ukraine would ultimately fail.
