Diplomatic solution to Ukrainian war must protect vital security interests of Ukraine and Europe, says EU

Ukrainians must have the freedom to decide their own future, European Union member states said on Tuesday, weighing in ahead of talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Reuters writes.

European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plan to speak with Trump on Wednesday, before the summit in Alaska, amid fears that Washington, hitherto Ukraine’s leading arms supplier, may dictate unfavorable peace terms to Kyiv.

“Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,” the leaders of all EU countries except Hungary said in a joint statement, adding: “We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”

Trump has said any peace deal would involve “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both” Russia and Ukraine, prompting consternation in Kyiv and European capitals as virtually all the territory in question is Ukrainian.

“A Ukraine capable of defending itself effectively is an integral part of any future security guarantees,” the European statement said, adding that EU nations were ready to contribute further to security guarantees.

Zelenskyy welcomed the EU statement, adding in a message on X that Russia was preparing new offensive operations.

“Indeed, we all support President Trump’s determination, and together we must shape positions that will not allow Russia to deceive the world once again,” he said.

However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Putin’s principal ally in Europe, mocked the statement from his EU counterparts.

“The fact that the EU was left on the sidelines is sad enough as it is,” Orban said on X. “The only sensible action for EU leaders is to initiate an EU-Russia summit, based on the example of the U.S.-Russia meeting.”

The news agency notes that Trump had been hardening his stance toward Moscow, agreeing to send more U.S. weapons to Ukraine and threatening hefty trade tariffs on buyers of Russian oil in an ultimatum that has now lapsed.