EU Leaders Assert: Ukrain’s Boarders cannot be Changed by Force

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1451 EAT on Tuesday 12 August 2025

European Union leaders have issued a firm warning against any attempt to alter Ukraine’s borders through the use of force, just two days before a high-stakes US-Russia summit on Ukraine is set to take place in Alaska.

In a joint statement, 26 of the EU’s 27 heads of state declared: “The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future.” They emphasized that the principles of “territorial integrity” and respect for internationally recognized borders must be upheld.

“International borders must not be changed by force,” the statement read, underscoring the EU’s continued support for Ukraine amid ongoing tensions with Russia.

Notably absent from the list of signatories was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán, who has maintained close ties with the Kremlin and consistently opposed various EU initiatives in support of Ukraine, has drawn criticism from fellow bloc members for undermining collective action.

The declaration comes as the international community closely watches the lead-up to the US-Russia summit, which is expected to focus heavily on Ukraine’s sovereignty, regional security, and the broader implications of Russian aggression.

The statement, released ahead of a critical US-Russia summit in Alaska, underscored widespread European unease—particularly among countries bordering Russia or those with historical memories of Soviet occupation. For many, the invasion of Ukraine is seen not just as a regional conflict but as a potential prelude to broader aggression.

In response to escalating tensions in recent years, several European nations have taken concrete steps to bolster their defenses. Finland and Sweden have joined NATO, Baltic states have reinstated conscription, and Poland has committed billions of euros to reinforce its border with Russia, including the construction of a defensive barrier.

The EU’s concern is rooted in its own history, shaped by centuries of bloody conflicts over shifting borders. European leaders fear that any recognition—implicit or explicit—of Russian sovereignty over territory seized by force would set a dangerous precedent. The idea that the United States might support a territorial compromise in Ukraine is particularly troubling for many European capitals.

The EU made clear that legal recognition of Russia’s control over Ukrainian regions captured in the war is unacceptable. “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has wider implications for European and international security,” the statement read. It stressed the need for a “just and lasting peace,” grounded in respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Despite this firm stance, some Western officials increasingly acknowledge the possibility that certain Ukrainian regions under Russian control may not return to Kyiv’s authority—at least in the short term.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that any future peace deal could involve territorial swaps. According to reports, his proposal would allow Russia to retain Crimea and potentially take full control of the Donbas region in exchange for withdrawing from Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which it currently only partially occupies.

Last week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged that some areas might remain under de facto Russian control but warned against any formal recognition. “That should never be legitimized,” he said, reinforcing NATO’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty.

As the US-Russia summit approaches, the EU’s message is clear: any peace must be just, sustainable, and rooted in international law—not dictated by force.

European Union leaders have reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine militarily and politically, insisting the country must be able to “defend itself effectively” as it exercises its “inherent right of self-defence.”

In a joint declaration issued ahead of a high-stakes U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska, the EU also reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s European aspirations. “The European Union underlines the inherent right of Ukraine to choose its own destiny and will continue supporting Ukraine on its path towards EU membership,” the statement concluded.

However, the show of unity was marred by a footnote at the bottom of the statement, clarifying that “Hungary does not associate itself with this statement.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán later explained his decision in a post on social media, criticizing the statement for attempting to impose conditions on a meeting the EU had not been invited to. He cautioned fellow EU leaders against “providing instructions from the bench” and instead urged the bloc to convene its own summit with Russia—an idea sharply at odds with the EU’s policy of avoiding direct talks with Moscow since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Orbán’s continued alignment with the Kremlin has drawn widespread criticism within the EU, particularly at a time when European solidarity is viewed as critical to Ukraine’s future.

Adding to the controversy, former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that he had privately consulted Orbán about Ukraine’s chances of winning the war. “He looked at me like, ‘What a stupid question,’” Trump said, implying Orbán believed Russia would continue fighting until victory.

EU leaders are scheduled to meet with Trump on Wednesday in an effort to reinforce the importance of European security and Ukraine’s sovereignty. Their concern is growing that any forthcoming peace settlement—particularly one brokered between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin—could fall short of being either “just” or “lasting.”

Trump and Putin are expected to meet in Alaska on Friday.

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