‘Ukraine has the freedom to choose its own destiny’: European leaders issue joint statement ahead of Trump-Putin meeting
фото: facebook Ruslan Stefanchuk
Ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leaders of leading European countries issued a joint statement in which they noted Ukraine’s inviolable right to independently determine its future.
The document was published on the official website of the UK government.
Signatories include French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Maloney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the President of Finland.
In the statement, European leaders expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine, end Russia’s aggression, and achieve just, lasting peace and security for the Ukrainian state.
They stressed that an effective resolution of the conflict is only possible through a combination of active diplomacy, support for Ukraine and increased pressure on Russia.
The statement also notes the readiness of European countries to continue supporting Ukraine diplomatically, militarily and financially, in particular through the activities of the Coalition of Will, as well as to maintain and implement new sanctions against the Russian Federation.
The leaders stressed that a diplomatic solution must take into account the vital security interests of Ukraine and Europe, including the need for reliable guarantees to enable Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They stressed Ukraine’s right to freely choose its own path and noted that negotiations with Russia are possible only if hostilities cease or are significantly reduced.
The document also notes that the peace process in Ukraine cannot take place without the participation of Ukraine itself, and international borders should not be changed by force. The starting point for negotiations should be the current conflict line.
Moreover, as The Wall Street Journal writes, US President Donald Trump may recognize Russian control over part of the occupied Ukrainian regions.
Under the terms discussed by officials, the Russian Federation is obliged to cease its offensive in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions along the line of combat conflict. At the same time, it is still unknown whether the Russian army is ready to give up the captured territories.
Recall that US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin may meet next week to discuss a potential peace agreement on the war in Ukraine. However, according to analysts, the parties have fundamentally different positions, and the likelihood of achieving a real truce remains low.
At the same time, on the eve of the meeting between Putin and Trump , Ukraine and Europe presented their own plan to the United States of America , which should become the basis for negotiations with the Russian side.
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