A group of European leaders have jointly pledged to support efforts to secure a trilateral summit between US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The letter was signed by the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, UK, Finland and Poland as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
The leaders said Mr Trump debriefed them and Mr Zelensky following his meeting with Mr Putin in Alaska.
Mr Trump and the European leaders reportedly discussed possible security guarantees for Ukraine outside NATO but similar to the Alliance's "Article 5" during their call this morning, according to two people familiar with the matter.
One of the people, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said that European leaders were seeking clarity on what kind of US role this would involve, but that there were no details yet.
NATO regards any attack launched on one of its 32 members as an attack on all under its Article 5 clause.
In their statement, the European leaders said they welcomed Mr Trump's "efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia's war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace".
"We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelensky towards a trilateral summit with European support," the leaders said,
The statement added that Ukraine must have "ironclad" security guarantees to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and welcomed that Mr Trump is prepared to give these guarantees.
It said no limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with other countries, adding that Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s membership of the EU and NATO.
"It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.
"Our support to Ukraine will continue. We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace."
The leaders said that sanctions would continue to be strengthened against Russia if the war continues.
Thank you @POTUS for the update on discussions in Alaska.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 16, 2025
The EU is working closely with @ZelenskyyUA and the United States to reach a just and lasting peace.
Strong security guarantees that protect Ukrainian and European vital security interests are essential.
Tánaiste Simon Harris also welcomed what he called Mr Trump's commitment to ening the conflict in Ukraine and saud he was encouraged by the planned meeting with Mr Zelensky.
"We must remember that Russia remains the aggressor in this conflict, and can end its aggression at any time.
"President Zelensky and his government must be involved in all decisions on how the conflict ends.
"Ireland will continue to work with EU partners to achieve a just and lasting peace that fully respects international law, including Ukraine's sovereignty and independence, and the inviolability of its borders," Mr Harris said in a statement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also agreed, in a post on X, that strong security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe were "essential" in any peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.
"The EU is working closely with Zelensky and the United States to reach a just and lasting peace. Strong security guarantees that protect Ukrainian and European vital security interests are essential," Ms von der Leyen said.
In a separate statement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he welcomed the openness of the US to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal to stop the war after speaking to President Trump and other European partners on Saturday.
"This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more," he said.
Mr Starmer insisted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must take part in future peace talks, saying that the "path to peace" cannot be decided without him.
French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, said it is essential to continue supporting Ukraine and putting pressure on Russia.
He said that France will work with the US and partners in the "Coalition of the Willing" to make progress on a lasting peace with security guarantees.
That coalition will meet in the near future, Mr Macron said.
Read more: Trump-Putin summit yields no deal on Ukraine ceasefire
