European leaders have issued a wave of reactions following the high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which concluded without a ceasefire or concrete resolution to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Unified Yet Uneasy Response from Europe:

A joint statement from European leaders emphasized “ironclad security guarantees” for Ukraine and rejected any limitations on its military or foreign alliances.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Trump’s initiative, calling it “a step closer to ending Russia’s illegal war”, but stressed the need for continued sanctions until aggression ceases.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned against Russia’s history of broken commitments, pledging continued support for Ukraine.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed “unwavering solidarity” with Ukraine and called for a just and lasting peace.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the summit as “a glimmer of hope”, while maintaining a cautious stance.

Czech Leaders Sound the Alarm: Czech officials were particularly critical, labeling the summit “a dangerous gift to the aggressor”. Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that Putin remains focused on territorial expansion, not peace. Defense Minister Jana Černochová warned that the meeting served to weaken Western unity and embolden Russian propaganda.

Ukraine’s Position: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Trump’s proposal for a trilateral summit involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia. He emphasized that “key issues must be discussed at the leader level” and called for European involvement in security guarantees.

🇭🇺 Hungary’s Divergent View: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed the summit as a “step toward global safety”, diverging from the broader EU stance. His foreign minister echoed the sentiment, advocating for continued U.S.–Russia dialogue.

What’s Next? Trump is expected to meet Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday to discuss next steps. While the summit sparked cautious optimism, many European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s intentions and committed to maintaining pressure on Moscow.