Ukrainians must be able to “decide their future”, European leaders emphasize
Brussels (Belgium) – “We, the leaders of the European Union, commend President Trump’s efforts to end Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” they write in a text to which Hungary did not associate itself. “Ukrainians must have the freedom to decide their future,” the statement adds.
“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,” insist the European leaders, stating that substantial negotiations can only take place “in the context of a ceasefire or a reduction of hostilities.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders are set to meet with Donald Trump on Wednesday.
The latter has remained vague about his expectations, expressing hope for a “constructive” meeting in Alaska and noting, in an approving tone, that it was “very respectful” of his Russian counterpart to travel to American territory in this way.
He made a remark likely to concern the Ukrainian president and his European allies, saying he was “a little upset that (Volodymyr) Zelensky says +I need to have constitutional authorization+” to cede territories.
“Because there will be exchanges of territories,” he predicted, as the Russian army currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory. (August 12, 2025)
