European leaders 'ready' to push for Zelenskyy-Trump-Putin meet

European leaders said in a joint statement on Saturday that they are ready to push for a trilateral summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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

They said Trump had briefed them and Zelenskyy earlier in the day on a summit between the U.S. president and his Russian counterpart, which was held in Alaska on Friday.

The leaders urged further negotiations involving Zelenskyy, whom Trump is set to meet in Washington on Monday.

In the statement, the leaders underlined that Ukraine must receive "ironclad security guarantees" to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. They welcomed Trump's declaration that Washington was prepared to provide such guarantees, expressing readiness to work with Trump and Zelenskyy toward a trilateral summit "with European support."

"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 the EU and NATO," the statement said.

Reaffirming their support for Kyiv, the leaders stressed that Ukraine alone must decide on its territory and that international borders "must not be changed by force."

The statement pledged continued support for Ukraine. As long as fighting continues, the leaders said, Europe will maintain pressure on Russia through strengthened sanctions and broader economic measures targeting its war economy.

Trump said Friday he had a "very productive meeting" with Putin in Alaska, noting that the two sides agreed on "many points" and made some progress, though no deal was reached.

(With input from Xinhua)