Hungary's Orban absent as EU leaders release joint statement supporting Ukraine

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The 26 European Union member states released a joint statement Thursday reaffirming their commitment to supporting Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.

The declaration, however, was notably missing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been a vocal critic of some EU policies regarding Ukraine.

The statement emphasizes that the EU will continue to back Ukraine "for as long as it takes," underscoring the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

With the suspension of US military aid, concerns are growing about a potential decline in Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, as a significant portion of the country's airspace is currently safeguarded by US-made Patriot missile defense systems provided by its Western allies.

The leaders called for a framework where peace negotiations cannot proceed without Ukraine’s direct involvement, ensuring that the country has a central role in shaping its own future.

The EU emphasized that any peace talks must include Ukraine as a key participant, rejecting any negotiations conducted without the country's consent.

The leaders also stressed that Europe must have a seat at the table in any discussions related to Ukraine's future, highlighting the EU’s critical role in shaping the outcome.

The statement called for a truce to act as the foundation for a long-term peace agreement, with the goal of ensuring stability and security for Ukraine in the years to come.

The EU pledged to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, signaling its ongoing commitment to the country's defense against Russian aggression.

The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering stance on the importance of respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, a critical issue in the ongoing conflict.

The European Council emphasized that Ukraine’s military strength is crucial in securing a durable peace.

It reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to providing Ukraine with enhanced political, financial, military and humanitarian support, including through additional sanctions on Russia.

In 2025, the EU will provide Ukraine with €30.6 billion ($33 billion) in financial aid, with €12.5 billion coming from the Ukraine Facility and €18.1 billion from the G7 ERA initiative, funded by immobilized Russian assets.

The bloc also said it is ready to provide security guarantees for Ukraine as part of the peace process, in cooperation with NATO and like-minded partners.

However, such guarantees will be in line with international law and respect the security interests of all EU member states, it added.