Brussels – Twenty-six of the 27 European Union member states, excluding Hungary, have endorsed a message supporting the peace initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. They assert that Ukrainians have “the right to choose their own destiny” and advocate for ongoing sanctions against Russia.
The European Council leaders emphasize the need for “a just and lasting peace,” insisting that any future agreements must uphold “the principles of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” and reiterate that “international borders cannot be altered by force,” alluding to the Russian invasion.
Last week, Trump suggested the possibility of a territorial exchange between the parties ahead of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a point not directly addressed by European leaders in their statement released this Tuesday.
One of the most significant political aspirations for Ukraine is its integration into the European Union, a goal strongly supported by the 26 signing governments. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed skepticism, arguing that this accession could threaten the stability of the bloc.
In the meantime, the EU “will continue to offer political, financial, economic, humanitarian, and diplomatic assistance” to ensure Ukraine can “exercise its right to self-defense” against aggression, while maintaining and enforcing sanctions against the Russian Federation, a stance Orbán also opposes.
European leaders stress that “a Ukraine capable of effectively defending itself is a crucial component of future security guarantees,” while recognizing and “respecting” the policies that “some” member states might adopt in this context.
ORBÁN DEFENDS HIS POSITION
The Hungarian Prime Minister cautioned fellow EU partners about the dangers of “offering instructions from the sidelines” ahead of the upcoming summit between Trump and Putin, aiming to preempt the “liberal chorus” that, in his words, might label him as “Putin’s puppet.”
He contends it is essential to clarify why he did not join the consensus, stating that “the declaration attempts to set the conditions for a meeting from which EU leaders are excluded.” He noted, “The mere fact that the EU has been sidelined is unfortunate. What could worsen it is if we commence giving guidance from the sidelines,” in a message shared on social media.
For Orbán, “the only rational course of action” for European leaders at this juncture is to initiate their own summit with Putin, taking the White House meeting as a model. His prior visit to Moscow in July 2024 for discussions with the Russian President stirred controversy, coinciding with the start of Hungary’s presidency in the EU Council. (August 12)
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