European leaders have issued a joint statement warning against any forced changes to Ukraine's borders, just three days before the scheduled summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska.

The statement emphasizes that 'the people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future' and reaffirms the principles of territorial integrity, emphasizing that 'international borders must not be changed by force.'

This declaration was signed by 26 out of 27 European Union leaders, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban notably absent.

Orban has maintained friendly relations with Russia and has been a vocal opponent of increased EU support for Ukraine.

The statement reflects the deep-seated concerns among European nations regarding Moscow's actions in Ukraine, which many fear could pose a direct threat to their security, particularly given their historical experiences with border changes through violent conflicts.

As such, there is widespread apprehension about the possibility of territorial concessions as part of any peace deal.

Recent years have seen Sweden and Finland join NATO, the reintroduction of conscription in several Baltic countries, and Poland's allocation of billions to build a barrier along its border with Russia.

This highlights the broader European security context underpinning the concerns about Ukraine's borders.

The statement also underscores the EU's stance that any recognition of Russia's sovereignty over territories it has conquered by force is utterly unacceptable.

US President Trump has previously suggested that a peace deal might involve 'some swapping of territories,' which includes Russian control over parts of eastern Ukraine and Crimea, in exchange for relinquishing control over other regions.

Analysts point out that while some Ukrainian territory may be under de facto Russian control, formal recognition of this reality through changes to the Ukrainian Constitution and a national referendum would be politically fraught for President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Thus, 'no-one is talking about international formal recognition' at present.

European leaders have called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities and its path towards EU membership.

Despite the unified statement, Hungary's dissent was noted, with the EU acknowledging that it does not associate itself with this declaration due to objections raised by Prime Minister Orban.

Ahead of the upcoming summit between Putin and Trump, the meeting between European leaders and US officials is set to address concerns over peace in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for security considerations to be prioritized.

The focus remains on ensuring that any peace agreements are both just and lasting, respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.