EU leaders insist Ukraine must approve any peace agreement

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, August 12th, 2025

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rki.news
BRUSSELS, Aug. 12 – European Union (EU) leaders said Tuesday that any peace deal in the Russia-Ukraine conflict must comply with international law and cannot be concluded without Ukraine’s consent.
In a joint statement ahead of Friday’s planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, EU leaders stressed that a “just and lasting peace” must safeguard Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, warning that borders “must not be changed by force.”
“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,” the statement read. “Meaningful negotiations can only occur in the context of a ceasefire or significant reduction in hostilities.”
The EU reaffirmed its political, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support for Kyiv, pledging to maintain restrictive measures against Russia as long as necessary. Leaders also reiterated backing for Ukraine’s eventual membership in the EU.
Hungary declined to sign the statement. Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote on X that his country would not support a declaration setting conditions for a meeting to which EU leaders had not been invited.
Trump and Putin are expected to discuss a possible Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and steps to improve U.S.-Russia relations during their Alaska meeting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Ukraine would not cede any territory to Russia, rejecting Trump’s earlier suggestion of potential “territory swaps” as a way to end the war.
The EU’s position underscores its insistence that Ukraine’s sovereignty and decision-making remain central to any resolution of the conflict.