**Ukraine Supports Joint Statement by European Leaders on Peace**
In a statement released on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that his country “values and fully supports” a joint statement made by several European leaders on achieving peace in Ukraine while protecting the nation’s interests.
The joint statement was made by leaders from France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Britain, Finland, and the European Commission. They welcomed efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to try to end the war, but emphasized the need for Russia to be pressured and for security guarantees to be provided to Ukraine.
In his statement on X, Zelenskiy expressed gratitude to everyone who is standing with Ukraine in its quest for peace. He stressed that the end of the war must be fair, and that any deal requiring Ukraine to surrender significant parts of its territory would only encourage Russian aggression.
The joint statement by European leaders comes ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Trump has been talking up the prospect of a deal that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict, but Zelenskiy and his allies have warned against making concessions to Russia at Ukraine’s expense.
**What It Means**
The joint statement by European leaders is an important development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. By emphasizing the need for security guarantees and pressure on Russia, they are signaling that any deal must be fair and take into account Ukraine’s interests.
Zelenskiy’s statement of support for the joint statement is also significant, as it shows that Kyiv is committed to working with its European allies to find a solution to the conflict. The fact that he has warned against making concessions to Russia at Ukraine’s expense suggests that Kyiv will be closely scrutinizing any deal proposed by Trump and Putin.
**The Larger Context**
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for three-and-a-half years, causing significant human suffering and economic disruption. The joint statement by European leaders is a reminder of the need for international pressure on Russia to end its aggression.
As tensions remain high, it’s clear that finding a solution to this conflict will require careful diplomacy and a commitment from all parties involved. The fact that Trump plans to meet Putin in Alaska next week suggests that he may be trying to broker a deal, but it remains to be seen whether such a deal can be achieved without compromising Ukraine’s interests.
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