Top EU Diplomat Opposes Absence of Ukraine from Alaska Talks

Top EU Diplomat Opposes Absence of Ukraine from Alaska Talks

The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Sunday, August 19, that any deal between the US and Russia should involve Ukraine. She and other European leaders also denounced changing accepted international borders.

“The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously. Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine’s and the whole of Europe’s security,” Kallas said.

Kallas, an Estonian official  and one of the most assertive supporters of Ukraine in Europe, said international law “is clear: all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine” and warned that a negotiated settlement must not set the stage for further aggression against Ukraine, the transatlantic alliance or Europe.

European leaders have warned that peace must include Ukraine’s input. They also condemned all changes in international borders.

The international community is awaiting the Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine in Alaska on Friday, August 15. The absence of Ukraine has been a point of concern in Europe. 

Zelenskyy has warned that any negotiations to end the war in Ukraine must include Kyiv.

“Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work,” he said. 

On Sunday, August 10, EU leaders released a statement including President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President von der Leyen and President Stubb reiterating that "The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine."

The statement also said that "international borders must not be changed by force." adding that the current frontline should be "the starting point of negotiations."

A Russian ceasefire proposal has suggested trading the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk for a full ceasefire. Zelenskyy immediately rejected any territorial swaps.

Ukrainian and European officials have reportedly responded to Russia's ceasefire proposal with a counterproposal.

Also, the presence of war criminal Putin in the United States is keeping the world’s attention on who will arrest Putin — if anyone.

The proposal, presented to US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff, repeated that Ukraine and Europe should be involved in any negotiation with Russia while demanding a ceasefire be implemented before further steps are taken.

Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, said in statement on X on Monday that the EU will draw up a 19th package of sanctions against Russia and warned against making concessions to Moscow without a ceasefire deal. 

“As far as Russia has not agreed to full and unconditional ceasefire, we should not even discuss any concessions,” Kallas said in a statement.

Following a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas said they had jointly expressed support for any US steps that would lead to a just peace in Ukraine he but said the process was also key.

“The sequencing of the steps is important. First an unconditional ceasefire with a strong monitoring system and ironclad security guarantees,” she said, adding that “we will work on a 19th package of sanctions.”

Kallas said the EU will work on military and budgetary support for Ukraine as well as for its accession process to join the EU.

“Transatlantic unity, support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia is how we will end this war and prevent future Russian aggression in Europe,” she said.