Ukraine must receive solid security guarantees as part of peace negotiations that include Ukraine’s full participation and the support of European partners, according to a joint declaration by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The current frontline should serve as the starting point for these talks they said.
The statement was released ahead of the planned Aug. 15 meeting in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin.
“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force,” the leaders said.
They affirmed their readiness to “support this work diplomatically as well as by upholding our substantive military and financial support to Ukraine, including through the work of the Coalition of the Willing, and by upholding and imposing restrictive measures against the Russian Federation.”
Any diplomatic solution must safeguard the vital security interests of both Ukraine and Europe.
“We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny,” the statement said.
A similar declaration was also issued by eight Northern European and Baltic countries. It emphasized that a diplomatic resolution of the Russo-Ukraine war must uphold the “vital security interests” of Ukraine and Europe.
“We reaffirm the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. Negotiations can only take place in context of a ceasefire,” the document said.
The countries pledged to contribute to ending the war through diplomacy while maintaining military and financial support for Ukraine.
“Peace will only come through a combination of determined diplomacy, unwavering support for Ukraine, and consistent pressure on the Russian Federation to halt its unlawful war,” the statement said.
Cover: Shutterstock
