{"id":337931,"date":"2025-08-12T08:05:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T08:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/337931\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T08:05:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T08:05:11","slug":"path-to-peace-cannot-be-decided-without-ukraine-says-eu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/337931\/","title":{"rendered":"Path to peace \u2018cannot be decided without Ukraine\u2019, says EU"},"content":{"rendered":"

Russia’s aggression must not be rewarded with territory, EU leaders have warned, declaring that \u201cinternational borders must not be changed by force\u201d.<\/p>\n

The bloc emphasised \u201cthe inherent right of Ukraine to choose its own destiny\u201d in a statement issued three days before US President Donald Trump<\/a> is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin<\/a>. Europe’s leaders are appealing to Mr Trump to defend their security interests at the summit in Alaska on Friday.<\/p>\n

The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Mr Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia\u2019s energy might to try to intimidate the EU, might secure favourable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them.<\/p>\n

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be invited to the meeting because it is \u201cvital\u201d that Ukraine has a say in its future. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s clear Putin just wants to talk to Trump and go for an old-fashioned way of dividing territories,\u201d she told the BBC after 26 of the 27 EU countries released a statement welcoming Mr Trump\u2019s efforts \u201ctowards ending Russia’s war of aggression and achieving a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine\u201d. <\/p>\n

Mr Zelenskyy and European leaders are scheduled to meet Mr Trump on Wednesday. <\/p>\n

A French diplomatic source believes the Alaska summit \u201ccan be a success, provided it leads to an unconditional ceasefire on the ground, accompanied by specific monitoring arrangements to be agreed upon by Ukraine, paving the way for negotiations in which Ukraine will be a party\u201d.<\/p>\n

The source added: \u201cEuropeans cannot support an agreement that would affect their vital security interests.\u201d<\/p>\n

EU foreign ministers met on Monday to agree a position of unity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said peace \u201cmust be built with Ukraine, not imposed upon it\u201d. He held a call with Canada\u2019s Mark Carney on Monday night in which they agreed Ukraine\u2019s future \u201cmust be one of freedom, sovereignty and self-determination\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mr Trump has been vague about his expectations for the Alaska summit, describing it as a \u201cfeel-out meeting\u201d to gauge the Russian leader’s ideas for ending the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Mr Zelenskyy has ruled out ceding any territory seized by force. Mr Trump said he was a \u201clittle bothered\u201d by Mr Zelenskyy’s stance and insisted land swaps would need to take place.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere’ll be some swapping, there’ll be some changes in land,\u201d he said. But Mr Trump said he would also tell Putin that \u201cyou’ve got to end this war\u201d.<\/p>\n

Russia holds shaky control over four of Ukraine’s regions, two in the country\u2019s east and two in the south.<\/p>\n

In Tuesday\u2019s statement, the EU leaders said: \u201cA 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement was meant to be a demonstration of European unity. But Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is Putin\u2019s closest ally in Europe and has tried to block EU support for Ukraine, did not sign up. <\/p>\n

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused the \u201cEU\u2019s pro-war politicians\u201d of trying to \u201csabotage the success of the Trump\u2013Putin meeting\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mr Szijjarto said on X: \u201cAn American\u2013Russian agreement offers the best chance for peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

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