Lipavsky: It is important that Europe and the USA are in tune before Trump’s meeting with Putin
Dnipro (Ukraine) – It is important that Europe and the United States are in tune, said Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský before Friday’s meeting of American President Donald Trump with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. He considers it important to insist on the fundamental principles that borders cannot be changed by force and that Ukraine’s sovereignty should not be undermined by force. According to Lipavský, it would also be useful if Trump reminded Russia that as a nuclear power, it must respect its commitments. The head of Czech diplomacy said this to Czech journalists during his visit to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said after today’s video conference of European politicians, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with Trump that European and Ukrainian security interests must be preserved during Friday’s meeting. According to Merz, Europeans want Trump to succeed in his talks with Putin. However, according to Zelensky, the Russian president does not wish for peace in Ukraine. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated after the meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing that the participating countries clearly agree on the next steps.
“I think it is important that Europe and America are in tune. Czechia has information either through the coalition of the willing or through formats in the European Union or the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO),” said Lipavský.
“The mood from that coordination is positive in the sense that all participants perceive and listen to each other. I think America recognizes the need for certain support in Europe in terms of alliances and some ties that we have in the transatlantic space. On the other hand, if peace is to come to Ukraine, negotiations must start somewhere. If it is Alaska, I have no problem with that,” added the head of Czech diplomacy.
After the meeting of Europeans with Trump, the third video conference of the day was on the agenda, during which participants of the virtual meeting with the Americans informed members of the so-called coalition of the willing about its outcome, a group of states that actively support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Czechia is also part of it, represented by Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the virtual meeting. The Czech Prime Minister appreciated the coordination of positions with Trump and welcomed the fact that for the first time, the coalition of the willing meeting was attended by U.S. Vice President Vance. (August 13)
