Russia-Ukraine War: The European Union said that we are ready to work towards a trilateral summit with European support, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

After the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska did not yield any result, European countries stood in support of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. European countries made it clear on Saturday (16 August 2025) that Moscow cannot decide whether Ukraine will join the European Union or NATO.

Russia will not decide Ukraine's future: EU

The European Union (EU) said that Russia has no veto power to decide the future of Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement saying that Europe will continue to support Ukraine's right to choose its alliance. 

Sanctions against Russia will be extended

The statement said, "We are ready to work towards a trilateral summit with European support, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The heads of European countries also vowed to maintain pressure on Russia. Reinforcing its stand against Putin, the European Union said that we vow to further strengthen sanctions on Russia.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the preparation of the 19th sanctions package against Russia after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. She said that no talks should be held with Russia until it agrees to an unconditional ceasefire. She reiterated her commitment to increase military aid to Ukraine and to allow it to join the EU.

'Ukraine's participation in peace talks is mandatory'

Ukrainian President Zelensky thanked European countries for their support. He claimed that Russia is not serious about peace. Zelensky said on his Telegram channel that we will increase pressure on Russia along with our partners. He made it clear that Ukraine's participation in the peace talks is mandatory. Zelensky said that Russia should not be allowed to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO or the EU.

Putin says that Ukraine should give up its ambition to join NATO and reduce its army. Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw its army from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia. Ukraine is calling Russia's demand an attack on its sovereignty.