Valtonen: Europe united against unjust peace deal for Ukraine

By admin On Aug 12, 2025

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen. Photo: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva

Europe will not support any peace agreement that imposes unfavourable terms on Ukraine or rewards Russian aggression, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has said.

Speaking to Yle ahead of this week’s planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Valtonen stressed that “not just any peace will do”.

“It will not do for Ukraine and it will not do for Europe.

An unjust peace or a peace in which the aggressor is rewarded in one way or another can only lead to bad consequences. Not only for European security, but for the entire world order,” she said.

Valtonen made her remarks on the sidelines of an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, convened to prepare for the Alaska summit. The announcement of the meeting has raised concerns in European capitals that Washington and Moscow might reach an agreement without Ukraine or Europe at the table.

She said such an outcome would be unacceptable, adding that only Ukraine can decide on conditions affecting its future. “If someone were to try to present Ukraine with conditions that it does not accept, it is up to Ukraine to decide how to proceed with the matter. But Europe’s support for Ukraine is clear,” she said.

Valtonen reaffirmed the EU’s three-pronged approach: continued military and political backing for Kyiv, sanctions to weaken Russia, and strengthening European defence capabilities.

Trump is scheduled to hold a call with European leaders on Wednesday. Yle understands Europe favours a ceasefire that would allow talks to begin on a lasting and just settlement.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi