UK: US-Starmer/Trump Presser Underway

European Council President Antonio Costa posts on X following the conclusion of an extraordinary European Council videoconference and a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Costa: "I underlined the EU’s unity and unwavering support for Ukraine, as well as our commitment to maintaining pressure on Russia. [...]. We will work together with the United States on concrete and essential security guarantees. Together with President Zelenskyy and the U.S., we will prepare the next steps to achieve a just and lasting peace. We must continue to support the Ukrainian people and move forward with the enlargement process..." 

• Speaking to reporters, Costa said the "main security guarantee has to be for Ukraine to have armed forces capable of defending [its] sovereignty".
• There are notable voices of dissent within the EU on the topic of support for Ukraine. Following the call, Slovakian PM Robert Fico said that "To end the war, we must understand that Ukraine can't join NATO," and that "We will not make progress on ending the war without discussing territorial changes in Ukraine."

Separately, another high-profile virtual call will take place on 20 August, this time involving NATO military leaders. US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine is expected to join. 

• It is at the military leaders' level that details of the nature of security guarantees could be decided in terms of feasibility. To date, only vague suggestions ranging from boots on the ground to logistical support have been speculated upon. 

• Italy is looking at ways of maximising its fiscal room -- On MNI Policy MainWire now, for more details please contact sales@marketnews.com

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