Ukraine’s president and European Union leaders accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday of delaying diplomatic efforts to end the war with Ukraine and opposed any move that would require Kyiv to surrender territory captured by Russian security forces in exchange for peace.

The U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested this on multiple occasions.

Eight European leaders and senior EU officials stated in a joint declaration that they are considering moving forward with a plan to use billions of euros of Russia’s seized foreign assets to help Kyiv win the war. However, there are some concerns about the legality and consequences of such a step.

The declaration expressed support for Trump’s peace efforts in Ukraine.

Trump is scheduled to meet with Putin in Budapest, Hungary in the coming week.

The declaration also stated that all leaders are “committed to the principle that international borders should not be changed by force.” Last month, Trump reversed his position and stated that Ukraine must give up territory. He had said that Ukraine could win back all the territory it lost to Russia.

Following a phone conversation with Putin last week and a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, Trump changed his stance again and called on Kyiv and Moscow to stop the war where it currently stands.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for over three years.

Trump said on Monday that he believes Ukraine could ultimately defeat Russia, but he now doubts that will happen.

Ukrainian and European leaders are making every effort to keep Trump on their side. According to the declaration, “We strongly support President Trump’s position that the war must end immediately and the current contact line should be the starting point for negotiations. We can all see that Putin is choosing violence and destruction.”

Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe with a rich cultural heritage and a history dating back to the medieval state of Kyivan Rus’. It has been a center of Orthodox Christianity and experienced centuries of foreign rule before gaining independence in 1991. Today, Ukraine is known for its diverse traditions, Cossack heritage, and ongoing struggle to preserve its sovereignty and cultural identity.

European Union

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries, founded to promote peace, stability, and economic cooperation after the Second World War. It originated with the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 and has since evolved through various treaties into a major global entity with a single market and a common currency, the euro, used by 20 member states.

Russia

Russia is a vast transcontinental nation with a rich history spanning over a millennium, founded in the 9th century with the establishment of the Kievan Rus’ state. It grew into a major global power as the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, leaving a profound cultural legacy in literature, music, and art. Today, it is known for iconic sites like the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow and the historic palaces of St. Petersburg.

Budapest

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, formed in 1873 by unifying the three historic cities of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest on the banks of the Danube River. It is renowned for its stunning architecture, including the Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and the iconic Chain Bridge. The city’s history is deeply marked by its time under both Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule, which is reflected in its diverse cultural and architectural heritage.

Hungary

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a rich history dating back to the arrival of the Magyar tribes in the 9th century. Its capital, Budapest, is famed for the stunning Parliament Building and historic thermal baths, while the country’s cultural heritage is deeply influenced by its founding by King Stephen I in the year 1000. Hungary’s history includes periods under Ottoman and Habsburg rule, which have left a lasting architectural and cultural imprint.

Kyiv

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, founded as early as the 5th century. It is historically known as the cradle of Slavic civilization and was the center of the medieval Kyivan Rus’ state, which adopted Orthodox Christianity in 988. Today, the city is a major cultural hub, renowned for its golden-domed cathedrals like Saint Sophia’s and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with a history dating back over 800 years to its first recorded mention in 1147. It has served as the political and cultural heart of the Russian state for much of its history, symbolized by iconic sites like the Kremlin and Red Square. These landmarks have been central to events ranging from the rule of the Tsars to the Soviet era and the modern Russian Federation.