Trump, European leaders comment on videoconference on Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) wait for the beginning of a virtual talk between European leaders with the US President on the Ukraine war ahead of the summit between the US and Russian leaders, in Berlin, Germany, on August 13, 2025. European leaders will hold online talks with US President Donald Trump, hoping to convince him to respect Ukraine's interests when he discusses the war with Putin in Alaska on Friday. JOHN MACDOUGALL/Pool via REUTERS
Donald Trump joined a teleconference with European leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday, two days before the U.S. leader is due to hold a summit in Alaska with Russia's Vladimir Putin to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine.
Following are some quotes from the leaders after the call:
U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPEAKING TO REPORTERS
"We had a very good call... President Zelenskiy was on the call. I would rate it a 10, very friendly.
"(...) If the first one (meeting with Putin) goes okay, we'll have a quick second one. I would like to do it almost immediately, and we'll have a quick second meeting between President Putin and President Zelenskiy and myself, if they'd like to have me there."
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY
"I told the U.S. president and all our European colleagues that Putin is bluffing (about his stated wish to end the war). He is trying to apply pressure before the meeting in Alaska along all parts of the Ukrainian front. Russia is trying to show that it can occupy all of Ukraine ...
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"Everything concerning Ukraine must be discussed only with Ukraine's participation. We must be preparing a trilateral format (along with Trump and Putin) for talks.
"A ceasefire must be the number one priority ... There should be security guarantees. Truly reliable."
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON
"President Trump was very clear that the United States wanted to achieve a ceasefire at this meeting in Alaska ...
"The second point on which things were very clear, as expressed by President Trump, is that territories belonging to Ukraine cannot be negotiated (without Ukraine's participation) and will only be negotiated by the Ukrainian president.
"There are currently no serious territorial exchange schemes on the table ...
"He (Trump) will also fight to secure a future meeting, a trilateral meeting ... I think this is a very important point ... and we hope that it can be held in Europe, in a neutral country that is acceptable to all parties."
GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ
"The principle that borders cannot be changed by force must continue to apply.
"Negotiations must include robust security guarantees for Kyiv. The Ukrainian armed forces must be able and remain able to effectively defend the sovereignty of their country. They must also be able to count on Western aid in the long term.
"(...) if there is no movement on the Russian side in Alaska, then the United States and we Europeans should ... increase the pressure (on Russia).
"President Trump knows this position, he shares it very extensively and therefore I can say: We have had a really exceptionally constructive and good conversation with each other."
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER
"The prime minister was clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering - international borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal," Starmer's Downing Street office said in a statement.
NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL MARK RUTTE, POSTING ON 'X'
"We are united in pushing to end to this terrible war against (Ukraine) & achieve just and lasting peace. Appreciate @realDonaldTrump leadership & close coordination with Allies. The ball is now in Putin's court."
EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN
"Today Europe, the U.S. and NATO have strengthened the common ground for Ukraine... We will remain in close coordination. Nobody wants peace more than us, a just and lasting peace."
FINNISH PRESIDENT ALEXANDER STUBB, POSTING ON X
"Excellent meeting with @Potus and European leaders, including @ZelenskyyUA. Aligned views and unity. We are working together for a ceasefire and a sustainable peace. We are there for Ukraine every step of the way. The next few days and weeks can be decisive."
POLISH PRESIDENT KAROL NAWROCKI'S FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER MARCIN PRZYDACZ
"Only through concrete, tough action can the Russian Federation be restrained. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Russian Federation cannot be allowed to decide what borders in Europe will look like."
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI
"During the discussion, Prime Minister Meloni expressed her appreciation for President Trump's efforts, reiterating the importance of continuing to work with the United States to stop the conflict and achieve a peace that ensures Ukraine's sovereignty and security...," her office said in a statement.
"It is now time to see what Russia's attitude will be in Alaska, as it has so far shown no intention of taking any significant steps forward."
EU COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANTONIO COSTA, POSTING ON X
"The EU is determined to work closely and in unity with the U.S. to end Russia's war of aggression and secure a just and lasting peace... Achieving a ceasefire remains the priority — as a necessary step toward meaningful negotiations with Ukraine." REUTERS
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