European leaders have come together to firmly assert that the borders of Ukraine must not be altered through coercion, especially as a US-Russia summit on the situation in Ukraine is set to take place in Alaska soon. In a recent statement, they emphasized that "the people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future" and underscored the necessity of respecting "territorial integrity." It was noted that military operations should not determine international borders.

The statement garnered support from 26 out of 27 leaders, with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban opting not to endorse it. Orban has consistently maintained favorable relations with Russia and has previously sought to obstruct EU assistance for Ukraine.

The collective European sentiment reflects deep-seated apprehensions regarding potential threats from Moscow, especially among nations that share borders with Russia or have historical memories of Soviet dominance. In response to perceived threats, several European countries, including Sweden and Finland, have pursued NATO membership, while others have reinstated conscription measures or invested in border security.

As the prospect grows that the US might condone some territorial concessions to Russia in any peaceful resolution, concerns among European leaders intensify. President Donald Trump has hinted at the likelihood of "swapping territories," which could involve Russia retaining control over eastern regions like Donbas and Crimea while relinquishing partial control over Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

NATO head Mark Rutte, while acknowledging the realities of Russian territorial control, insisted that such regions must not be officially recognized as Russian. The leaders made it clear in their remarks that "Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has wider implications for European and international security" and called for continued military support for Ukraine's "inherent right of self-defense."

The EU's commitment to Ukraine's path towards membership and the sovereignty of its borders remains steadfast, even as Hungary's non-association with the statement adds a layer of complexity to European unity on the issue. Orban criticized the statement for its timing and urged the EU to consider organizing its own summit with Russia, an idea met with skepticism given the current political climate.

As Trump prepares to meet with both European leaders and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the security landscape in Europe hangs in the balance, with concerns that any peace resulting from the talks may not adequately address Ukraine's sovereignty.