European Union leaders today reaffirmed the principle that Ukrainians must be free to determine their own future, just three days before a scheduled meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
“We, the leaders of the European Union, welcome President Trump’s efforts to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to achieve a just and sustainable peace for Ukraine,” the leaders said in a joint statement, which Hungary did not sign. “The Ukrainian people must have the freedom to decide their own future,” the declaration continued.
“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,” the statement emphasized, adding that substantive negotiations can only take place “within the framework of a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities.” The leaders further stressed that “our shared conviction is that any diplomatic solution must protect the vital security interests of both Ukraine and Europe.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and EU leaders are due to hold talks tomorrow, Wednesday, with Donald Trump.
Trump has remained vague about his expectations for the meeting, expressing hope for a “constructive” encounter in Alaska. He also noted with approval that “he very much respects” the fact that his Russian counterpart agreed to travel to U.S. soil.
However, Trump made a remark likely to unsettle the Ukrainian president and European allies, saying he is “a little annoyed” that “(Volodymyr) Zelensky says, ‘I need constitutional approval’” to cede territory.
“Because there will be land swaps,” Trump predicted, at a time when Russian forces currently occupy about 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
Source: ANA-MPA / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
