No peace without Ukraine, European leaders insist ahead of planned Trump-Putin meeting

“Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny,” European leaders insisted on Sunday ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. 

A joint statement issued by the leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission said that, “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.”

European leaders welcomed 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.

“We are convinced that only an approach that combines active diplomacy, support to Ukraine and pressure on the Russian Federation to end their illegal war can succeed.”

The statement said they stood ready to support this work diplomatically, as well as by upholding Europe’s 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. We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

European leaders underlined their “unwavering commitment” to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

“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.”

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Joint statement