site.btaEU Leaders: "Ukraine's People Must Be Free to Decide their Future"

"The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine," the heads of State and government of 26 EU Member States said in a statement Tuesday, quoted by the European Council in a press release. "The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future," the leaders argued, adding that "meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities."

Only Hungary did not associate itself with the statement.

"A just and lasting peace that brings stability and security must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and that international borders must not be changed by force," the statement reads.

Its signers share the conviction that "a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests".

They committed the EU, "in coordination with the US and other like-minded partners", to continued providing "political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine as Ukraine is exercising its inherent right of self-defence" and "to continue to uphold and impose restrictive measures against the Russian Federation".

"A Ukraine capable of defending itself effectively is an integral part of any future security guarantees. The European Union and Member States are ready to further contribute to security guarantees based on their respective competences and capabilities, in line with international law, and in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States," the EU leaders state. They will continue supporting Ukraine on its path towards EU membership.