EU Leaders Endorse Trump’s Peace Efforts, Reaffirm Support for Ukraine’s Sovereignty
"The statement attempts to set conditions for a meeting to which leaders of the EU were not invited," Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán stated. "The only sensible action for EU leaders is to initiate an EU-Russia summit, based on the example of the US-Russia meeting."
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — On Tuesday, the leaders of the European Union issued a strong statement welcoming President Donald Trump’s efforts to end "Russia’s war of aggression" against Ukraine and to establish a just and lasting peace, reaffirming their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The EU leaders emphasized that any peace agreement must respect international law, including Ukraine’s independence and the inviolability of its internationally recognized borders, which must not be altered by force. They stressed that the people of Ukraine must retain the freedom to decide their own future, underscoring that meaningful negotiations cannot proceed without Ukraine’s full participation and must occur within the framework of a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities.
Acknowledging the broader implications of "Russia’s aggression" on European and global security, the EU leaders expressed their shared conviction that any diplomatic solution must safeguard the vital security interests of both Ukraine and Europe.
"The European Union, in coordination with the US and other like-minded partners, will continue to provide political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine as Ukraine is exercising its inherent right of self-defense," read the statement.
At the same time, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining and enforcing restrictive measures against the Russian Federation. The statement highlighted that a Ukraine capable of effective self-defense is essential to any future security guarantees.
The EU and its member states are prepared to further contribute to security arrangements in accordance with their respective competences and capabilities, respecting international law and the security and defense policies of individual member states while considering the collective interests of the union.
"The European Union underlines the inherent right of Ukraine to choose its own destiny and will continue supporting Ukraine on its path towards EU membership," the statement concluded.
According to AP, European Union leaders appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump to defend their security interests during his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing war in Ukraine. The EU expressed deep concerns about being sidelined from critical negotiations, with uncertainty surrounding whether Ukraine itself will participate in the talks scheduled for Friday. Trump has indicated a willingness to explore whether Putin is serious about ending the conflict, now in its fourth year, but his suggestion that Ukraine may need to cede some Russian-held territories and accept land swaps has alarmed European and Ukrainian officials alike.
There is widespread apprehension that Putin could use the summit to secure favorable concessions, effectively sidelining Ukraine and Europe, while potentially threatening other European countries if victorious in Ukraine. Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Russia appears poised to capture a key city in the Donetsk region, rapidly advancing near Pokrovsk, a development that could significantly impact Ukrainian supply lines and influence the summit’s diplomatic context.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any demands for territorial concessions as a condition for ceasefire negotiations. The EU’s statement underscored the importance of a peace process that respects international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty, insisting that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
Notably, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a vocal Putin ally within the bloc, was the sole EU leader to withhold endorsement of the statement, highlighting divisions within the union on how to approach the conflict, according to AP.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán publicly explained his decision not to endorse the European Union leaders’ statement ahead of the Trump-Putin summit, highlighting frustrations over the EU’s exclusion from the upcoming talks. In a post on his official X account, Orbán criticized the statement for attempting to set conditions on a meeting from which EU leaders were not invited.
He described the EU’s sidelining as regrettable and warned against issuing directives “from the bench,” suggesting that such actions could worsen the situation rather than improve it.
Just four days ahead of the historic summit between President Trump and President Putin, the European Council sought to issue a statement in the name of all EU heads of state and government.
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) August 12, 2025
Before the liberal-mainstream chorus begins its newest rendition of their favourite…
Orbán called instead for the EU to take a more proactive and direct role by initiating its own EU-Russia summit, following the example set by the US-Russia meeting. Concluding his message, he appealed to all parties to “give peace a chance,” emphasizing his desire for dialogue and diplomatic engagement despite the ongoing tensions and differing views within the European bloc.