Ukraine should decide its own future, say EU leaders ahead of Trump-Putin meet

European countries have said that Ukraine should determine its own future, ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting on Friday (August 15, 2025) to begin discussing a ceasefire to the Russia-Ukraine war which began when after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Hungary did not sign the statement on Ukraine’s future, which was endorsed by the 26 other EU countries.

“The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,” a European Council statement said, as the bloc welcomed Mr. Trump’s efforts.

Neither Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy nor any European leaders are scheduled to attend Friday’s talks in Alaska. Mr Trump has said he would update European leaders and Mr Zelenskyy after the discussions with Mr Putin. European leaders have been concerned that Mr Trump and Mr Putin could arrive at a deal for Ukraine without involving them.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has convened a virtual summit with Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy and EU leaders on Wednesday (August 13, 2025).

The U.S. President has suggested that some “swapping” of territory might be required to achieve a ceasefire. Mr Zelenksyy has rejected this idea. Russia already controls approximately a fifth of Ukraine’s territory.

The EU and its member countries are ready to contribute further to security guarantees and support to Ukraine, their statement said, as it reiterated Ukraine’s right to chose its own destiny and the bloc’s support for Ukraine’s path to EU membership.

“Hungary does not associate itself with this Statement,” the document said.

Hungarian President Viktor Orban, whose government has relatively strong ties with Moscow, set out reasons why Hungary did not support the statement. Posting on social media site X, he said the statement was setting out conditions for a meeting to which the EU was not invited, adding that “providing instructions from the bench” would make matters worse. Mr Orban also suggested that EU leaders initiate a Russia-EU meeting.