European leaders urge caution as Trump prepares for Putin talks
The leaders of Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany discussed the situation in Ukraine and the pursuit of peace with Donald Trump before his meeting with Vladimir Putin. European leaders are trying to prevent the US president from hastily reaching an agreement regarding Kyiv.
What do you need to know?
- Consultations before the conversation with Putin: The leaders of Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany spoke with Donald Trump before his announced conversation with the Russian leader.
- Support for Ukraine: Giorgia Meloni emphasised support for Ukraine and pursuing a just peace.
- Ceasefire: Chancellor Merz highlighted the necessity of a ceasefire and peace talks.
What were the main topics of the conversation?
The leaders of Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany phoned US President Donald Trump about the situation in Ukraine and efforts towards a just and lasting peace. These consultations took place before Trump announced his conversation with Vladimir Putin.
Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, emphasised the importance of supporting Ukraine and pursuing an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany also participated in the conversation.
What did the European leaders say?
The spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the talks were about the situation in Ukraine and the catastrophic costs of the war for both sides. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, summarising the consultations on the X platform, emphasised that Putin must agree to a ceasefire and peace talks.
What are the concerns of European leaders?
Politicians from European countries are trying to prevent the US president from hastily reaching an agreement regarding Ukraine. As Bloomberg points out, Trump is pushing for a quick end to Russia's war against Ukraine. He promised this during his election campaign and believes he can reach an agreement in a direct conversation with Putin.
Meanwhile, Putin shows no interest in ending the fight. Therefore, he is unlikely to offer Trump any significant concessions. As a result, Europe and Kyiv are concerned that the American president may still try to push through an agreement.
