EU Leaders Reaffirm Support for Ukraine Ahead of Critical Summit
European Union leaders have once again expressed strong backing for Ukraine in a decisive statement issued on Sunday, just days before a scheduled summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, reports 24brussels.
The statement reflects a united European front, emphasizing the need for sustained diplomacy and support for Ukraine’s sovereignty in the face of ongoing aggression from Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb were among the signatories of the declaration. They welcomed Trump’s dedication to halting the violence and pushing for a just resolution in Ukraine.
The leaders declared, “We welcome President Trump’s work to stop the killing in Ukraine, end the Russian Federation’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.” They emphasized that a blend of diplomacy, military support for Ukraine, and pressure on Russia is crucial to ending the conflict.
“We stand ready to support this work diplomatically as well as by upholding our substantive military and financial support to Ukraine, including through the work of the Coalition of the Willing, and by upholding and imposing restrictive measures against the Russian Federation. We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”
The leaders elaborated that these interests involve ensuring robust security guarantees for Ukraine, enabling it to defend its sovereignty effectively. They asserted, “Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
This declaration also reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining international borders and addressing the situation on the ground with a focus on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, stating that the current contact line should serve as a basis for negotiations.
“We reiterate that Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Budapest Memorandum, and successive Russian commitments. We underline our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.”
Summarizing their resolve, the EU leaders expressed, “We continue to stand firmly by the side of Ukraine. We are united as Europeans and determined to jointly promote our interests. And we will continue to cooperate closely with President Trump and with the United States of America, and with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, for a peace in Ukraine that protects our vital security interests.”
