EU leaders vow to consult Ukraine on its future decisions
- Viktor Orbán called for a change in European strategy on Ukraine, claiming the current approach is ineffective.
- EU leaders in Brussels reinforced that no decisions about Ukraine should occur without its consent.
- The ongoing conflict requires unity among European nations and support for Ukraine's defense efforts.
In Budapest, Hungary, on December 20, 2024, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed the urgent need for European leaders to reassess their strategy pertaining to Ukraine amid ongoing conflict with Russia. He criticized the current approach as ineffective, noting that Russia has made advances on the frontlines. Orbán, a supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has been vocal in his opposition to strong EU support for Ukraine and has taken action to impede the bloc's efforts for sanctions against Russia. He proposed a Christmas truce and the possibility of a prisoner exchange, although his previous claims regarding Putin's acceptance of the truce plan now seem uncertain, as he suggested that Putin merely considered it rather than fully endorsing it. In a parallel development, European Union leaders in Brussels emphasized that any decisions regarding Ukraine must involve Ukrainian consent. They reaffirmed that peace efforts should prioritize Ukraine's voice in negotiations as the conflict persists, with over 1,000 days of war having left the country in a precarious position. With increasing concern over Russia's battlefield gains and damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure, EU leaders underscored the need to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities and to remain united in their support against Russian aggression. The impending inauguration of Donald Trump has sparked speculation about future U.S.-EU relations concerning support for Ukraine, as European leaders stress their commitment to refrain from making decisions that exclude Ukrainian input.