A coalition of European leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom and Finland, together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, issued a joint statement over the weekend welcoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on 15 August in Alaska but insisting that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.” The declaration calls for continued sanctions pressure on Moscow and demands “robust and credible security guarantees” that would enable Kyiv to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement followed closed-door talks on 9 August at Chevening House in Kent, where U.S. Vice President JD Vance, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, senior Ukrainian officials and envoys from several EU countries tried to forge a common position ahead of the Alaska summit. European officials presented counter-proposals to Washington and pressed the White House to keep Ukraine at the negotiating table and toughen economic penalties against Russia if fighting continues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy publicly endorsed the European declaration, saying Kyiv "values and fully supports" its emphasis on a just peace that protects Ukrainian and European security interests. Although the White House has signalled that Trump remains open to a three-way meeting, the Alaska encounter is currently planned as a bilateral at Russia’s request, stoking concern in European capitals that Kyiv could be sidelined. In a further sign of diplomatic urgency, EU foreign-affairs chief Kaja Kallas has convened an extraordinary video conference of the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers for 11 August to coordinate next steps. Separately, European leaders are seeking direct talks with Trump before the end of the week to press their case that any cease-fire or territorial arrangement must not reward Russian aggression or compromise Europe’s longer-term security.