European leaders are keen to speak to US President Donald Trump before his planned meeting in Alaska with russian dictator vladimir putin.
Bloomberg reported this, citing sources.
The leaders want to speak to him before Friday, when Trump and putin are due to meet. Any talks would follow an intensive diplomatic weekend between US, Ukrainian and European officials, which included meetings in the UK on Saturday with Vice President J.D. Vance and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
EU ambassadors have been briefed on the talks, and the bloc's foreign ministers are due to meet virtually on Monday.
The publication recalled that in the framework of negotiations between US and russian officials, putin is demanding that Ukraine hand over all of Donbas, as well as Crimea, to russia as a condition for unblocking the ceasefire and starting talks on a long-term settlement.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that if the process moves forward, the issue of territory "must be on the table" along with security guarantees for Ukraine. He suggested that this could involve Ukraine acknowledging that it has lost control of part of its territory, without formally giving up sovereignty over those regions.
Trump has threatened sanctions on russia after his deadline, but has so far refrained from taking direct action against the kremlin, other than imposing additional tariffs on India over its purchases of russian oil.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine does not want to – and cannot constitutionally – cede territory, and European leaders have pledged to continue to support Ukraine's sovereignty.
Recall that Trump and putin will hold a bilateral meeting in Alaska next Friday, August 15.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaia Kallas announced that an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers will be held on August 11. The reason was the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and kremlin leader vladimir putin.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the Alliance remains committed to supporting Ukraine with weapons and everything necessary - regardless of the results of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and russian leader vladimir putin.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.