Path to peace cannot be defined without Ukraine: Europe publishes statement ahead of Trump-putin meeting
The President of the European Commission and leaders of a number of European countries have published a joint statement calling on US President Donald Trump to protect Ukraine's interests and prevent the change of its international borders by force.
The corresponding communiqué was published on the European Commission website today, August 10.
Europe welcomes Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine and achieve a just peace. At the same time, European leaders stressed that they remain committed to the principle that international borders cannot be changed by force.
"Ukraine has the right to freely choose its destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place under conditions of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be defined without Ukraine's participation," the document says.
European leaders noted that it was russia that violated the UN Charter, the Budapest Memorandum, the Helsinki Final Act and a number of its own obligations by launching an illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
They believe that an approach combining pressure on russia, support for Ukraine and active diplomacy should be used to resolve the conflict.
Europe also assured that it remains firmly on Ukraine's side and is ready to continue to act to achieve a just peace and security for Ukraine.
The document was signed by:
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
- French President Emmanuel Macron.
- Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni;
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, yesterday, August 9, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the European continent needs a real end to the war and reliable security foundations for Ukraine.
The head of state also stressed that Ukraine will not give up its territories and will not recognize them as russian.
We will remind, on August 9, it became known that the meeting between US President Donald Trump and russian dictator vladimir putin will take place in Alaska next Friday, August 15.
We also wrote that according to Bloomberg, American and russian officials are working on a draft agreement that will consolidate russia's occupation of two regions of Ukraine.