Brussels: European leaders declared on Sunday that Ukraine must have autonomy in deciding its future, emphasizing that any path to peace cannot exclude Ukraine's active participation. This declaration was made in a joint statement by leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and the European Union.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the leaders stressed Ukraine's right to self-determination and insisted that meaningful negotiations can only occur amid a ceasefire or reduced hostilities. They reinforced their unwavering support for Ukraine, expressing unity as Europeans to collectively promote their interests. The leaders also acknowledged President Trump's efforts to halt the violence, cease Russia's aggression, and achieve a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.
The statement highlighted the necessity of combining active diplomacy, support for Ukraine, and pressure on Russia to end its unlawful war for a successful resolution. The leaders asserted their readiness to support this mission both diplomatically and through substantial military and financial backing for Ukraine, including initiatives by the Coalition of the Willing and the imposition of sanctions against Russia. They agreed on the importance of a diplomatic solution that safeguards Ukraine's and Europe's security interests, which includes providing Ukraine with robust security guarantees to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The leaders reiterated the principle that international borders should not be altered by force, identifying the current line of contact as the starting point for negotiations. They condemned Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine as a blatant breach of international agreements and expressed their firm commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The statement concluded with a pledge to continue close cooperation with President Trump, the United States, President Zelenskyy, and the Ukrainian people in pursuit of a peace that upholds their critical security interests.