Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of delaying diplomatic efforts to end the invasion of Ukraine and firmly opposed any proposal to force Kyiv to cede occupied territory in exchange for peace, as has occasionally been suggested by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Eight European leaders, along with senior EU officials, stated in a joint declaration that they intend to continue using billions of euros of Moscow’s frozen assets abroad to help Kyiv win the war, despite some questions regarding legality and consequences,” the statement read.
The declaration expressed support for Trump’s peace efforts in Ukraine as he prepares to meet Putin in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks.
“Leaders remain committed to the principle that international borders should not be changed by force,” the statement emphasized.
Last month, Trump shifted his position, suggesting Ukraine might have to give up territory but could eventually reclaim Russian-occupied areas. However, after a phone call with Putin last week and a subsequent meeting with Zelensky on Friday, Trump revised his stance again, urging Kyiv and Moscow to “stop where they are” in the more-than-three-year-long war.
Trump acknowledged on Monday that while he believes Ukraine could potentially defeat Russia, he now doubts whether this will happen.
Ukrainian and European leaders are working to keep Trump aligned with their position.
“We strongly support President Trump’s view that fighting must stop immediately and that the current line of contact should serve as the starting point for negotiations,” the declaration read.
“We can all see that Putin continues to choose violence and destruction,” it added.
Trump’s involvement in Europe’s largest conflict since World War II is shifting as he seeks a peace agreement. Russia has occupied about one-fifth of Ukraine, but ceding territory in exchange for peace remains unacceptable to Kyiv.
Officials also warned that freezing the conflict along the current front line could exacerbate tensions, with occupied Ukrainian areas providing Moscow a springboard for future attacks.
The joint statement from leaders of Ukraine, the UK, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Denmark, and EU officials was published today.
At the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, the discussion is expected to focus on increasing international economic sanctions.
“We must increase pressure on Russia’s economy and defense industry until Putin is ready to make peace,” the statement said.
A meeting of the “Ready Coalition” – a group of 35 countries supporting Ukraine – is scheduled to take place in London.
