European Leaders’ Unified Stance Ahead of U.S.-Russia Summit on Ukraine
Ahead of the highly anticipated meeting between U.S.
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leaders of major European nations and institutions issued a joint statement emphasizing the urgent need to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
This collective declaration was signed by the presidents and prime ministers of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, as well as the European Commission and European Council representatives, including Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel.In their statement, European leaders praised the efforts of the United States to end the conflict in Ukraine and underscored that peace can only be achieved through active diplomacy, military, and financial support for Kyiv, as well as increased pressure on Russia.
They stressed that diplomatic efforts must prioritize the protection of vital security interests for Ukraine and Europe, providing credible security guarantees.The leaders reiterated that negotiations can only commence after a ceasefire or de-escalation of hostilities and that international borders must remain unchanged by force.
They reaffirmed Ukraine’s right to determine its own future and emphasized that meaningful peace talks are only possible in conditions of ceasefire.
The statement also emphasizes that Russia’s unprovoked invasion is a gross violation of international law, including the UN Charter and Budapest Memorandum.The leadership assured their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, committing to continue working closely with U.S.
officials, President Zelensky, and the Ukrainian people to seek a peaceful resolution.
Additionally, Vladimir Putin recently proposed ending the war in exchange for recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as Russian territories, which has attracted significant international attention and criticism.