PHOTO COLLECTION: Hostage Edan Alexander released

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PHOTO COLLECTION: Hostage Edan Alexander released

2025-05-13 02:47 Last Updated At：03:03

This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.

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Residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Tenafly, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

A person in Huyler Park weeps as they celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

A person wears a necklace in support of hostages held by Hamas as residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

An Israeli-American flag flies in Huyler Park as people gather to celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Doron, in a wheelchair, arrives along with friends and relatives to Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander's family house ahead of his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israelis gather to watch a live broadcast in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israelis gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israelis gather ahead to watch a live broadcast in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A woman cries as she gathers with others to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A man holds a placard of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he waits for his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israelis gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

People react as they gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israelis wave flags as the convoy carrying freed Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander arrives after his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza to an army base in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A military helicopter carrying relatives of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander lands ahead of his scheduled release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Red Cross vehicles carrying American-Israeli hostage and soldier Edan Alexander leave the Gaza Strip after he was handed over to the organization, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

More Images

Residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Tenafly, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

A person in Huyler Park weeps as they celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

A person wears a necklace in support of hostages held by Hamas as residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

An Israeli-American flag flies in Huyler Park as people gather to celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Doron, in a wheelchair, arrives along with friends and relatives to Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander's family house ahead of his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israelis gather to watch a live broadcast in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israelis gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israelis gather ahead to watch a live broadcast in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A woman cries as she gathers with others to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A man holds a placard of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he waits for his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israelis gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

People react as they gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Israelis wave flags as the convoy carrying freed Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander arrives after his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza to an army base in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A military helicopter carrying relatives of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander lands ahead of his scheduled release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Red Cross vehicles carrying American-Israeli hostage and soldier Edan Alexander leave the Gaza Strip after he was handed over to the organization, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

European leaders expected to cement support for Ukraine amid US pressure to accept peace deal

BERLIN (AP) — European leaders are expected to cement support for Ukraine Monday as it faces Washington’s pressure to swiftly accept a U.S.-brokered peace deal.

After Sunday’s talks in Berlin between U.S. envoys and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian and European officials are set to continue a series of meetings in an effort to secure the continent’s peace and security in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia.

Zelenskyy sat down Sunday with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner in the German federal chancellery in the hopes of bringing the nearly four-year war to a close.

Washington has tried for months to navigate the demands of each side as Trump presses for a swift end to Russia’s war and grows increasingly exasperated by delays. The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including control of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, which is mostly occupied by Russian forces.

The U.S. government late Sunday said in a social media post on Witkoff’s account after the five-hour meeting that “a lot of progress was made.”

Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy voiced readiness to drop his country’s bid to join NATO if the U.S. and other Western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to NATO members. But Ukraine continued to reject the U.S. push for ceding territory to Russia.

Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the part of the Donetsk region still under its control among the key conditions for peace.

The Russian president also has cast Ukraine’s bid to join NATO as a major threat to Moscow’s security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.

Zelenskyy emphasized that any Western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the U.S. Congress.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has spearheaded European efforts to support Ukraine alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said Saturday that “the decades of the ‘Pax Americana’ are largely over for us in Europe and for us in Germany as well.”

“Pax Americana” refers to the U.S.’s postwar dominance as a superpower that has brought relative peace to the globe.

Merz warned that Putin’s aim is “a fundamental change to the borders in Europe, the restoration of the old Soviet Union within its borders.”

“If Ukraine falls, he won’t stop,” Merz warned during a party conference in Munich.

Macron, meanwhile, vowed Sunday on social platform X that “France is, and will remain, at Ukraine’s side to build a robust and lasting peace — one that can guarantee Ukraine’s security and sovereignty, and that of Europe, over the long term.”

Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.

Ciobanu reported from Warsaw, Poland.

PHOTO COLLECTION: Hostage Edan Alexander released

News

PHOTO COLLECTION: Hostage Edan Alexander released

Residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Tenafly, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

A person in Huyler Park weeps as they celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

A person wears a necklace in support of hostages held by Hamas as residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

An Israeli-American flag flies in Huyler Park as people gather to celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Israelis wave flags as the convoy carrying freed Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander arrives after his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza to an army base in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

A military helicopter carrying relatives of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander lands ahead of his scheduled release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Red Cross vehicles carrying American-Israeli hostage and soldier Edan Alexander leave the Gaza Strip after he was handed over to the organization, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Red Cross vehicles carrying American-Israeli hostage and soldier Edan Alexander leave the Gaza Strip after he was handed over to the organization, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Tenafly, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

A person in Huyler Park weeps as they celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

A person wears a necklace in support of hostages held by Hamas as residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

An Israeli-American flag flies in Huyler Park as people gather to celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Israelis wave flags as the convoy carrying freed Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander arrives after his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza to an army base in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

A military helicopter carrying relatives of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander lands ahead of his scheduled release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Red Cross vehicles carrying American-Israeli hostage and soldier Edan Alexander leave the Gaza Strip after he was handed over to the organization, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Red Cross vehicles carrying American-Israeli hostage and soldier Edan Alexander leave the Gaza Strip after he was handed over to the organization, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

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