European leaders and prominent EU officials have issued a joint statement welcoming progress in diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The statement highlights growing coordination between the United States, Ukraine, and European partners, positioning transatlantic unity during the US-led talks as central to ending the war.
Published by the German government’s press service, the declaration underscores political backing for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and frames Ukraine’s security as inseparable from broader European and Euro-Atlantic stability.
Coordinated Support for Peace Efforts
The statement explicitly welcomes what it describes as “significant progress” in US-led diplomatic efforts, including the direct involvement of President Donald Trump. European leaders praised the close cooperation between the teams of Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump, alongside European negotiating teams, in recent days and weeks.
The EU leaders agreed to intensify joint work with Washington and Kyiv to secure a peace settlement that safeguards Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and long-term security architecture in Europe.
Ukraine’s Security as a Pillar of European Stability
European and US leaders reaffirmed that Ukraine’s security, sovereignty, and prosperity are integral to Euro-Atlantic security as a whole. They stressed that Ukraine must emerge from the war as an independent and sovereign state, free from the threat of renewed Russian aggression.
The statement emphasized that decisions on Ukraine’s future must respect international law and the principle that borders cannot be changed by force.
Commitments to Long-Term Security Guarantees
Sustained Military Support for Ukraine
The leaders committed to providing Ukraine with sustained and substantial support to build and maintain its armed forces. According to the statement, Ukraine’s peacetime military strength should remain at approximately 800,000 personnel to ensure effective deterrence and territorial defense.
This commitment reflects a long-term approach to Ukrainian security rather than short-term wartime assistance.
European-Led Multinational Force for Ukraine
A key element of the statement is the proposal to establish a European-led multinational force for Ukraine. This force would consist of volunteers from countries participating in the so-called “Coalition of the Resolute” and would operate with support from the United States.
Its tasks would include rebuilding Ukraine’s armed forces, securing Ukrainian airspace, and maintaining maritime security, including through operations conducted on Ukrainian territory.
The Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification Mechanism
The leaders agreed to create a US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism involving international organizations. This mechanism would provide early warning of future attacks, identify perpetrators of violations, and support rapid responses to breaches of any agreement.
A complementary conflict-resolution mechanism would also be established to develop mutual de-escalation measures and prevent renewed hostilities.
Legal Commitments to Collective Response
The statement outlines a legal obligation, subject to national procedures, for participating states to take action in the event of a future armed attack on Ukraine. These measures could include military deployment, intelligence sharing, logistical support, and coordinated economic or diplomatic actions.
This provision signals a move toward more formalized security assurances for Ukraine.
Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Commitments
European and US leaders committed to investing in Ukraine’s long-term prosperity alongside security guarantees. This includes allocating significant resources for recovery and reconstruction, concluding mutually beneficial trade agreements, and addressing the need for Russia to compensate Ukraine for wartime damage.
The statement notes that Russian sovereign assets remain frozen within the European Union as part of this broader framework.
Support for Ukraine’s EU Accession
The leaders strongly reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. They described EU membership as a strategic anchor for Ukraine’s political stability, economic development, and democratic future.
This commitment positions EU enlargement as a core element of the post-war settlement.
Position on Territory and Negotiations
European leaders reiterated that international borders cannot be altered by force and that decisions regarding Ukrainian territory belong solely to the Ukrainian people. They emphasized that they can only make such decisions once they have established credible security guarantees.
They acknowledged that some sensitive issues would need to be resolved in the final stages of negotiations and reaffirmed the principle that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.”
The statement concludes with a clear expression of support for President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people. European leaders agreed to back any decisions ultimately taken by Zelensky on specific Ukrainian issues within the peace process.
The EU leaders also committed to accelerating diplomatic efforts in the coming days and weeks to jointly conclude and approve a lasting peace agreement.
The statement was signed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Maloni, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as the heads of the European Commission and the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa.
Separately, media reports cited anonymous US officials claiming that most contentious issues in Ukraine-Russia talks had been resolved, while Ukrainian officials urged caution regarding unnamed sources. These developments highlight the fluid and sensitive nature of ongoing negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and Russia to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
