EU leaders say Ukraine should have freedom to decide its future ahead of Trump-Putin summit
'Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,' the leaders said, adding that 'we share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests.'
The statement, which was agreed late on Monday and published on Tuesday, was endorsed by leaders of all EU member countries except Hungary.
Europeans are attempting to exert some influence over the Friday meeting that they have been sidelined from. It remains unclear whether even Ukraine will take part. On Monday, Trump confirmed that he and the Russian president would discuss 'land swapping' when they meet.
The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945, might secure favourable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them.
Tuesday's statement was also meant to be a demonstration of European unity. However, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, who is Putin's closest ally in Europe and has tried to block EU support for Ukraine, did not endorse it, the only one of the 27 leaders who refused to do so.
In the statement early on Tuesday, the leaders said they 'welcome the efforts of President Trump towards ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine'. But, they underlined, 'the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.'
'A just and lasting peace that brings stability and security must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and that international borders must not be changed by force,' they said.
Zelenskyy has rejected the idea that Ukraine must commit to give up land to secure a ceasefire. Russia holds shaky control over four of the country's regions, two in the country's east and two in the south.
Trump was also critical of Zelenskyy in his address on Monday, noting that Ukraine's leader had been in power for the duration of the war and said 'nothing happened' during that time.
Europeans leaders will make a fresh attempt to rally Trump to Ukraine's cause on Wednesday at virtual meetings convened by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Trump did not confirm whether he would take part, but he did say: 'I'm going to get everybody's ideas' before meeting with Putin.
With Reuters and the Associated Press
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