EU Plans 19th Sanctions Round Amid US-Russia Talks on Ukraine

European and American leaders are preparing for a pivotal US-Russia summit in Alaska aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, with significant emphasis on ensuring Ukraine's involvement in any negotiations. The EU, led by figures like Kaja Kallas and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, stresses that any peace talks must include Ukraine and Europe to protect Ukrainian sovereignty and prevent unfavorable concessions to Russia. Kallas highlighted the EU's firm stance on maintaining sanctions until an unconditional ceasefire with robust monitoring is achieved, while Ukrainian officials express skepticism about the effectiveness of bilateral US-Russia talks without Ukraine's direct participation. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz coordinated virtual meetings with global leaders to align strategies on exerting pressure on Russia and preserving Ukraine's territorial integrity amid fears of land swap proposals. Despite hopes for progress, Ukrainian Deputy Head Mykhailo Podoliak warned that expectations for substantial outcomes remain low given Russia's war objectives, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s participation in the Alaska talks remains uncertain. Overall, European leaders caution against any deal that alters international borders by force and call for strong security guarantees and military preparedness to deter further Russian aggression.