Leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany called for increased sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses a ceasefire in Ukraine during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska.
In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine and stressed continued diplomacy, support for Ukraine, and pressure on Russia. They said sanctions and broader economic measures targeting Russia’s war economy must be strengthened if a ceasefire is rejected.
The statement also highlighted that Ukraine must have secure guarantees for defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Russia cannot veto Ukraine’s EU or NATO membership. The leaders reaffirmed cooperation with Trump, Zelenskyy, and Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace.