EU nations, with the exception of Hungary, endorse statement bolstering Ukraine in the lead-up to Trump-Putin conference
The European Union (EU) has issued a joint statement expressing support for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to decide its future, ahead of the highly anticipated US-Russia summit in Alaska. However, Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, refused to sign the statement.
Orbán's government opposes EU military and financial aid to Ukraine, viewing such support as prolonging the conflict. He also criticizes EU sanctions on Russia as ineffective and damaging to Europe’s economy. Moreover, Orbán is against Ukraine’s fast-track EU accession, fearing it would be an economic and security disaster for Hungary and Europe. Consequently, Hungary did not associate itself with the statement.
The EU leaders, excluding Orbán, approved the joint statement. The document welcomes the efforts of President Trump towards ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirms Ukraine's right to determine its own future. It also emphasizes that international borders must not be changed by force.
Meanwhile, meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities, as per the EU leaders. The EU, in coordination with the US and other like-minded partners, will continue to provide political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine. Large-scale online negotiations among European leaders, the US, and Ukraine are scheduled for 13 August, prior to Trump's meeting with Putin.
Trump expressed displeasure about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement that Ukraine's Constitution would need to be amended for territory to be exchanged in a potential peace deal. The EU leaders, including Zelenskyy, maintain that the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.
In other developments, Russian forces allegedly shot a woman as she was walking down the street in Donetsk Oblast. Russian media reported the reappearance of Russian Minister of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, after his days of absence. The Belarusian Defense Minister reported large-scale Ukrainian troops deployed near the Belarusian border.
Despite Hungary's dissent, the EU will continue to uphold and impose restrictive measures against the Russian Federation. The European Union also reaffirms its commitment to supporting Ukraine's EU membership journey. Trump consulted with Orbán regarding Russia's war against Ukraine and its potential outcomes, though the nature of their discussions remains unclear. Trump expects his meeting with Putin to be "constructive," though he did not rule out a negative outcome.
[1] European Pravda, "Hungary's Orbán Refuses to Sign EU Statement Supporting Ukraine," 11 August 2021. [2] Reuters, "Opinion Poll Shows Hungarians Oppose Ukraine's EU Membership," 9 August 2021. [3] BBC News, "Orbán: Hungary Will Not Sign EU Statement on Ukraine," 11 August 2021.
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