EU Leaders Draft Statement to Uphold Ukraine’s Sovereignty Amid US-Russia Talks
Brussels: European Union leaders are gearing up to release a joint declaration emphasizing their commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the necessity for Kyiv’s involvement in any discussions regarding its future. This comes ahead of a crucial meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, the draft statement, which spans seven points, was shared among EU member states following an online assembly of the bloc’s foreign ministers on August 11. This meeting was convened to align their positions after US envoy Steve Witkoff’s meeting with Putin and subsequent briefings to European leaders by US Vice President JD Vance in England.
The draft expresses EU member states’ endorsement of President Trump’s efforts to end Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and to secure a sustainable peace. However, it emphasizes that this peace must adhere to international law, respecting principles such as independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while asserting that international borders must remain unchanged by force.
The proposed statement mirrors sentiments previously expressed by a few European leaders, aiming to establish a unified stance to offer Ukraine crucial diplomatic support. While it remains uncertain whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the Alaska meeting, the draft highlights that Ukraine’s path to peace cannot be charted without its participation.
This statement is expected to gain the support of 26 EU countries, with Hungary likely abstaining due to its historical reluctance to endorse EU positions on Ukraine. Recent EU summit conclusions have been published as EU-26 without Hungary’s backing, although it agreed to further sanctions on the Kremlin in July.
The EU’s stance aligns with Ukraine’s position of no legal recognition of any territories. A European diplomat indicated that Ukraine relinquishing control over areas like Kramatorsk, contested since 2014, is deemed unrealistic. The draft also signals the EU’s intention to maintain sanctions against Russia, with no immediate plans for sanctions relief, a topic reportedly discussed between Witkoff and Putin.
Despite efforts, neither European countries nor the EU as a whole have managed to secure a seat at the negotiating table with Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow. Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested a “reassurance force” of up to 20,000 European troops in Western Ukraine, contingent on a ceasefire. However, this proposal remains inactive due to a lack of US military support.
The draft, while lacking specifics, indicates the EU’s readiness to “further contribute to security guarantees based on their respective competences and capabilities.” It also reaffirms that the EU, alongside the US and allied partners, will continue to extend comprehensive support to Ukraine as it defends itself.