By Martin Banks

Denis MacShane, the former Europe Minister in the UK, says the Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin should be a “wake-up call”.

The high profile meeting broke up with no deal or ceasefire in war-torn Ukraine.

Speaking on 16 August to this site after the event, Dr MacShane said: “Dumping on Trump is Europe’s favourite parlour game.

“All the Trump-Putin meeting showed up was the failure of 21st century Europe to take seriously Putin’s contempt over 25 years to have any respect for European values, history, democracy, freedom of expression and sovereign democracy. 

“Europe is rich enough to look after its own backyards from the Balkans to the border nations facing a militaristic Russia.”

He added: “Putin and Trump are both nationalists warning their nations to be top dogs.

“Too many European leaders of big and small nation still operate along similar lines – rejecting the necessary reforms to get the European economy going again, taking mass people movement seriously, suspending governments supporting Putin.

“The Alaska summit should be a wake-up call to Europe to stand up to Putin instead of always waiting for Uncle Donald to do our heavy lifting for us,” said MacShane, who served as Europe minister under Tony Blair.

Further reaction came on Saturday (16 August) from EU leaders.

A formal statement was issued by President von der Leyen, President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Starmer, President Stubb, Prime Minister Tusk, President Costa.

It says: “Early this morning, President Trump debriefed us and President Zelenskyy following his meeting with the Russian President in Alaska on 15 August 2025.

“Leaders welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.

“As President Trump said ‘there’s no deal until there’s a deal’. As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon.”

It added: ”We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support.

“We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump’s statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine‘s pathway to EU and NATO.

“It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.

“Our support to Ukraine will continue. We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace.”

It concluded: “As long as the killing in Ukraine continues, we stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia’s war economy until there is a just and lasting peace.

“Ukraine can count on our unwavering solidarity as we work towards a peace that safeguards Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests,” said the statement.