Shortly before the planned meeting between US President Trump and Kremlin leader Putin, almost all EU heads of state and government agreed on a common line. Only one refuses to participate.
Hungary's government has refused to support a joint statement by the other 26 EU member states welcoming US President Donald Trump's efforts to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
In it, the heads of state and government emphasize"that international borders must not be changed by force" and that a just and lasting peace that brings stability and security must respect international law. Germany, France, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, Finland, and the EU Commission had already made almost identical demands in a statement issued over the weekend.
This time, it is a declaration by all EU member states – except Hungary. The right-wing conservative government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán not only rejects European Union military aid for Ukraine as pointless and prolonging the war.
Orbán also considers the EU sanctions against Russia to be ineffective: He has repeatedly criticized them as useless and bad for the European economy – and in the past has even forced the lifting of EU sanctions against several Russians.
Europeans and Ukrainians view summit in Alaska with skepticism
During Hungary's EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2024, Orbán made a surprise visit to the internationally largely isolated Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow, much to the annoyance of many EU colleagues, and presented himself as a mediator. The Hungarian, who rules with authoritarian methods, is also considered a loyal supporter of US President Trump, who plans to receive Putin in Alaska on Friday. The central topic of discussion will be the war in Ukraine – although there are fears in both Kyiv and European capitals that Trump and Putin could reach agreements to the detriment of Ukraine.
In their statement published Tuesday morning, the 26 EU heads of state and government reiterated that the people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their own future. Meaningful negotiations are only possible"within the framework of a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities."
The EU will continue to support Ukraine and will maintain its sanctions against Russia and impose new ones."A Ukraine capable of effectively defending itself is an integral part of any future security guarantee," it said.
dpa/saha
