EU Warns Against Altering Ukraine’s Borders

Three days before the planned Alaska meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, European leaders have issued a warning against any attempt to redraw Ukraine’s borders through military action.

In their joint declaration, the leaders stated that “the people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future” and stressed that “territorial integrity” must be upheld while “international borders must not be changed by force”.

Of the 27 EU member states, 26 signed the statement. Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, did not add his name, consistent with his ongoing alignment with Moscow and repeated attempts to stall EU assistance to Kyiv.

The move reflects Europe’s deep anxiety over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, especially among states that share a border with Russia or still recall Soviet occupation. In recent years, Finland and Sweden have joined NATO, the Baltic states have reinstated mandatory military service, and Poland has committed vast funds to building a barrier along its Russian frontier.

European governments fear Washington could permit border changes in Ukraine, something they see as unacceptable. Official recognition of Russia’s authority over seized territories would directly clash with EU principles.

Trump has previously said that “some swapping of territories” might be part of a peace plan, potentially leaving all of the Donbas and Crimea in Russian hands, while Moscow would cede the partially occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Last week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged the likelihood of continued Russian control over some Ukrainian territory but insisted that this should never receive formal recognition. Changing Ukraine’s constitution to legally confirm such control would require a referendum approved by parliament — a process that could topple President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government.

This is why, as analyst Prof Mark Galeotti explained, “no-one is talking about international formal recognition”. He added, “We would be recognising that for the moment Russia does control almost 20% of Ukraine but international borders remain what they are,” suggesting Zelensky might accept de facto Russian control without altering the constitution.

The joint statement also warned that “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has wider implications for European and international security” and emphasised the importance of achieving a “just and lasting peace”. Leaders underlined the need for Ukraine to “defend itself effectively” and vowed ongoing military assistance as it exercises “its inherent right of self defence”.

“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 declaration concluded.

Hungary’s absence from the list of signatories was highlighted in a note at the bottom of the statement. Orban later said on social media that he refused to back it because it set conditions for a meeting to which the EU had not been invited, cautioning fellow leaders against “providing instructions from the bench”. He also called for the EU to arrange its own negotiations with Russia — something Brussels has avoided since the 2022 invasion began.

Trump said on Monday that he had asked Orban for his opinion on Ukraine’s chances in the war. “He looked at me like, ‘What a stupid question’,” Trump said, implying Orban believed Russia would fight until it claimed victory.

The Trump-Putin summit is scheduled for Friday, while Trump is due to speak with EU leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, on Wednesday. Starmer has said that any peace must be “built with Ukraine, not imposed upon it”.

European officials hope to use the talks to reinforce Ukraine’s priorities and European security interests, amid concerns that a future settlement could be neither “just” nor “lasting”.