Brussels: European leaders stressed in a joint statement that the path to peace in Ukraine “cannot be decided without Ukraine.”

According to Qatar News Agency, the statement came as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin arranged to meet in Alaska on Friday. The joint statement from British, French, Italian, German, Polish, and Finnish leaders and the president of the European Commission emphasized that “the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.’

“Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force,” the European leaders said in the statement.

They also acknowledged Trump’s efforts “to stop the killing in Ukraine, end the Russian Federation’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.”

The leaders expressed their readiness to support these efforts diplomatically, as well as through continued military and financial aid to Ukraine. The statement also highlighted the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, reaffirming their “unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.”