EU Leaders Urge Respect for Ukraine’s Sovereignty Ahead of Trump–Putin Talks

 European Union member states reaffirmed on Tuesday that Ukrainians must have the freedom to determine their own future, issuing a strong statement ahead of Friday’s scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to hold discussions with President Trump on Wednesday, amid growing concerns that Washington—previously Kyiv’s most significant arms supplier—might press for peace terms unfavorable to Ukraine.

In a joint declaration, leaders of all EU countries except Hungary emphasized: “Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or a reduction of hostilities. We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must safeguard the vital security interests of both Ukraine and Europe.”

Russian Gains in Eastern Ukraine

Tensions have been heightened by battlefield developments. Ukraine’s respected DeepState war map reported that Russian forces advanced up to 10 kilometers northwards in a two-pronged push near Dobropillia, edging closer to their strategic target of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

Tatarigami_UA, a former Ukrainian officer who closely monitors the conflict, noted on X that similar offensives were launched by Russia in 2014 and 2015 ahead of negotiations to strengthen their bargaining position. He stressed that while the current situation is serious, it is far from the collapse some have predicted.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces reported the recapture of two villages in the Sumy region on Monday, marking a rare reversal after more than a year of slow, grinding Russian gains in the southeast. The new offensive in Sumy follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s call for the establishment of a “buffer zone” there.

Fears of Concessions to Moscow

President Trump has suggested that any peace deal could involve “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both” Russia and Ukraine—a proposal met with alarm in Kyiv and across Europe, as the territories in question are internationally recognized as Ukrainian.

Kyiv and its allies worry that Trump, eager to secure a landmark peace deal and strengthen economic ties with Moscow, could effectively reward Russia for its long-running campaign—now in its 11th year—to seize Ukrainian territory.

Europe’s Security at Stake

The EU statement underscored that Ukraine’s ability to defend itself is essential to the security architecture of Europe, and pledged further contributions to Ukraine’s defense guarantees. Zelenskyy welcomed the declaration, warning that Russia is preparing fresh offensive operations.

“We all support President Trump’s determination, and together we must shape positions that will not allow Russia to deceive the world once again,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Moscow’s closest ally within the EU, dismissed the statement, arguing that European leaders should focus on direct engagement with Russia. “The only sensible action is to initiate an EU–Russia summit, following the example of the U.S.–Russia meeting,” Orbán posted.

While Trump has recently toughened his rhetoric toward Moscow—agreeing to additional weapons deliveries to Ukraine and threatening tariffs on Russian oil exports—his decision to host Putin for the first U.S.–Russia summit since 2021 has reignited concerns that American domestic priorities could overshadow the collective security interests of Europe and Ukraine.