Zelenskyy says ‘no issue…can be decided without Ukraine’ as European leaders back trilateral talks with Trump and Russia

“Sanctions are an effective tool,” he added. He also reiterated that “All issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine’s participation, and no issue, particularly territorial ones, can be decided without Ukraine”.

The Ukrainian President also called for an immediate end to the killing, a ceasefire on the ground and in the air, the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, and sustained pressure on Russia while fighting continues.

“Security must be guaranteed reliably and in the long term, with the involvement of both Europe and the US,” Zelenskyy added.

Today, following a conversation with President Trump, we further coordinated positions with European leaders. The positions are clear. A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions.

Killings must stop as soon as…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 16, 2025

Earlier, Trump raised the possibility of a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy, signalling that such discussions could follow the Alaska summit. He has also held talks with European leaders about providing security guarantees to Ukraine.

European leaders issued a joint statement highlighting that “the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy” and confirming they are “ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support”.

“As President Trump said ‘there’s no deal until there’s a deal’. As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon.”

Ukrainian President will meet Trump in Washington DC on Monday after the pair had a “long and substantive conversation” following Trump’s summit in Alaska with Putin.

European leaders also pointed towards the need for “ironclad security guarantees” for Ukraine, noting that “no limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine‘s pathway to EU and NATO.”

The statement did not, however, mention Trump’s calls in the last hour for a “peace deal.” The US President wrote on Truth Social that this would be the best way to end the war in Ukraine, rather than a ceasefire agreement, which he said may not “hold up.”

No deal was reached at the Alaska summit, but the US president insisted progress was made, while Putin said he was “sincerely interested” in ending the conflict.

The European leaders’ statement was signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.