26 EU Leaders Affirm Ukraine’s Right to Decide Its Future
All EU member states except Hungary endorse statement backing Ukraine’s sovereignty and future self-determination.
Twenty-six European heads of state and government have declared that Ukraine must have the freedom to determine its own future, issuing a joint statement that pointedly excludes Hungary. The leaders said they “share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”
The statement, agreed late Monday and released Tuesday, comes ahead of the Alaska summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where potential territorial concessions are expected to be discussed.
Conditions for Negotiations
The leaders emphasised that “meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,” underscoring the EU’s position that any talks without such conditions risk legitimising ongoing military aggression.
While the statement did not directly mention Russia, the context and timing leave little doubt about its intended audience.
European Security Stakes
EU officials have repeatedly warned that the war’s outcome will shape the continent’s security landscape for decades. The statement reflects growing anxiety among European capitals that any U.S.-brokered deal might sideline Ukraine or compromise its sovereignty in exchange for a quick end to hostilities.
The European Council has not yet detailed potential measures should the Alaska talks produce a settlement unfavourable to Kyiv.