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European leaders tie security guarantees for Ukraine to their own defense Several of the leaders assembled around the table stressed the importance of guaranteeing Ukraine's security, not just for Kyiv but for the continent as a whole.
"When we talk about security, we're talking about the security not just of Ukraine, we're talking about the security of Europe and the United Kingdom as well," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said any agreement should focus on "how to be sure that it won't happen again," referring to Russia's invasion.
Alexander Stubb, the president of Finland, said the security guarantees are a "big part of this." Finland joined NATO in 2023 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"Some of the international media might wonder, why is the president of Finland here? I think the reason is probably that we might come from a small country, but we have a long border with Russia, over 800 miles," Stubb said, mentioning Finland's own history with Russia, including the Soviet invasion of the country during World War II.
"If I look at the silver lining of where we stand right now, we found a solution in 1944, and I'm sure we'll be able to find a solution in 2025 to end Russia's war of aggression and find and get a lasting and just peace," Stubb said.
Macron: "Everybody around this table is in favor of peace" The French president said that "everybody around this table is in favor of peace," noting that "when we speak about security guarantees, we speak about the whole security of the European continent."
"This is why we are all united here with Ukraine on this matter," Macron said.
Macron said to Mr. Trump, "you can count on us as we can count on you" to deliver peace for Ukraine and Europe more broadly.
Germany's Merz stresses need for ceasefire before next meeting with Putin Merz, the German chancellor, said he "can't imagine" another meeting taking place without a ceasefire, a subtle suggestion to Mr. Trump that Putin should not be granted another meeting without agreeing to end the fighting in Ukraine.
"I can't imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire," Merz said. "So let's work on that, and let's try to put pressure on Russia. Because the credibility of these efforts we are undertaking today are depending on at least a ceasefire from the beginning of the series of negotiations, from next step on. So I would like to emphasize this aspect and would like to see a ceasefire from the next meeting, which should be a trilateral meeting, wherever it takes place."
Mr. Trump did not endorse that approach, and has said throughout the day that a ceasefire isn't necessary to reach an agreement.
"Well, we're going to let the president go over and talk to the president, and we'll see how that works out, and if we can do that," Mr. Trump said, meaning Putin and Zelenskyy.
Mr. Trump said ceasefires haven't preceded peace talks in other peace deals he's been involved in around the world.
Trump says they'll discuss possible exchanges of territories and security guarantees Mr. Trump said he and European leaders will discuss potential security agreement proposals for Ukraine, as well as the possible "exchanges" of territory.
"The Alaska summit reinforced my belief that while difficult, peace is within reach," Mr. Trump said, alongside the European leaders. "And I believe that, in a very significant step, President Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine, and this is one of the key points that we need to consider. And we're going to be considering that at the table also, like who will do what, essentially."
The president said he's "optimistic" they can reach a security agreement that will deter any future aggression against Ukraine. Mr. Trump said European nations will take "a lot" of the responsibility for ensuring Ukraine's security.
"We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory taken into consideration," Mr. Trump said, calling the current war lines "sad" to see.
Mr. Trump said European leaders also need to consider the negotiating positions of Putin, and of Zelenskyy.
"Ultimately, this is a decision that can only be made by President Zelenskyy and by the people of Ukraine, working also together and in agreement with President Putin," Mr. Trump said.
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/tru...e-ukraine/