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European Union leaders have issued a fresh appeal to President Donald Trump on Ukraine, urging him ahead of his crucial summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to protect the country and Europe’s security interests. They want Trump not to exclude Kyiv from any agreement.
Ukraine and its European allies fear that Trump might consent to Russia’s seizure of Ukrainian territory since the 2022 invasion, which they believe would reward Moscow for its unlawful aggression and signal similar actions elsewhere.
Trump has suggested swapping land Russia occupies partially for peace, a move rejected by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. It is uncertain if Zelensky will attend the talks in Alaska.
Twenty-six EU leaders—excluding Hungary—sent a statement on Tuesday, welcoming Trump’s efforts to end the war and seek “a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.” They warned that such peace must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-changing borders by force.
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The European leaders stated: “Russia’s war against Ukraine has broader implications for European and international security. We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s vital security interests.”
Hungary did not sign this statement, with its Prime Minister Viktor Orban explaining on X (formerly Twitter) that the EU’s conditions were set for a summit where leaders of the EU were not invited.
Orban said: “The fact that the EU was left on the sidelines is sad enough. The only thing that could make things worse is if we started providing instructions from the bench. Instead, the EU should initiate its own summit with Russia.”
In their statement, EU leaders emphasized Ukraine’s right to choose its destiny and continued support for its path towards EU membership.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky expressed gratitude: “I am grateful to Europe for supporting our independence and territorial integrity. An active approach to diplomacy could end this war with dignified peace. Any decision must enhance joint security.”
The Russian Embassy in London stated: “Russia is open to resolving the Ukrainian conflict through political and diplomatic means, pursuing a lasting peace by eradicating crisis root causes.”
The Institute for the Study of War commented: “The Kremlin attempts to divide the U.S. from Europe during the Alaska summit rather than engage in meaningful peace efforts.”
Viktor Kovalenko from Ukraine Decoded added: “Without Ukraine’s buy-in and focus on Russian withdrawal, the Alaska summit risks becoming a diplomatic mirage.”
On Wednesday, Europeans plan another attempt to rally Trump for Ukraine’s cause via virtual meetings convened by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Trump did not confirm his participation but stated: “I’m going to get everybody’s ideas” before meeting Putin.
[Reporting by The Associated Press contributed to this article.]
