European Union leaders are preparing a joint statement reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and stressing that Kyiv must be involved in any negotiations on its future. The move comes ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
According to a seven-point draft statement seen by RFE/RL, the document is currently being circulated among EU member states ahead of an online meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers later today.
The meeting was called to establish a unified EU position after US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin on August 6, followed by briefings from US Vice President JD Vance to European leaders in England.
However, several EU diplomats have expressed uncertainty over what was actually discussed, including potential territorial swaps and Russia’s readiness to accept a cease-fire.
“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,” the draft statement emphasizes.
The document welcomes President Trump’s efforts to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine but stresses that any peace agreement “must respect international law, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the principle that borders cannot be changed by force.”
Hungary Remains a Question Mark
It is still unclear whether Hungary will endorse the statement. The country has often refused to back common EU stances on Ukraine, leading to recent summit conclusions being issued as “EU-26” without Budapest’s approval. Nevertheless, Hungary did agree to additional EU sanctions on Russia in July.
The draft confirms that the EU will maintain restrictive measures against Moscow and is not considering sanctions relief at this stage. The full package of sanctions is set for renewal in January 2026, requiring unanimous approval.
Security Guarantees and Support
While France’s Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed earlier this year a “reassurance force” of up to 20,000 European troops in Western Ukraine following a cease-fire, the plan remains dormant due to lack of US military backing.
Instead, the EU expresses readiness to provide security guarantees in coordination with the US and other partners. The bloc vows to continue political, financial, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic aid to Ukraine as it exercises its inherent right to self-defense.
