Europe on Monday released its latest plan as regional leaders and the United States decided on commitments in the context of an agreement to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The statement was adopted by President Antonio Costa (EU Council), President von der Leyen (EU Commission), Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (Denmark), President Alexander Stubb (Finland), and President Emmanuel Macron (France).
Others were German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Italy), PM Dick Schoof (Netherlands), PM Jonas Støre (Norway), PM Donald Tusk (Poland), PM Ulf Kristersson (Sweden), and PM Keir Starmer (United Kingdom).
The six commitments announced by the EU and heads of states provide robust security guarantees and economic recovery support measures for Ukraine.
The pledge includes significant and sustained aid to build Ukraine’s armed forces, which should remain at a peacetime level of 800,000 to deter conflict and defend its territory.
A European-led multinational force – with contributions from the Coalition of the Willing and supported by the U.S. – will be formed to assist Ukrainian forces in securing land, skies, and seas.
A U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism will be in place, along with international input, to provide early warning of any future attack and attribute and respond to any breaches.
There will be a legally binding agreement to, in the case of a future attack, restore peace and security through armed force, intelligence and logistical assistance, and economic and diplomatic actions.
To ensure the future prosperity, recovery, and reconstruction of Ukraine, major resources will be made available for mutually beneficial trade agreements.
“Russian sovereign assets in the European Union have been immobilized,” the leaders affirmed, insisting that Russia must compensate Ukraine for the damage caused.
They declared “strong support” for Ukraine joining the EU, and agreed to work with Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky to achieve a lasting peace, which preserves Ukrainian sovereignty and European security.
The bloc added that it is now incumbent upon Russia to show willingness by acceding to Trump’s peace plan and to “demonstrate their commitment to end the fighting by agreeing to a ceasefire.”
Russia war: Europe approves Ukraine’s multinational force, EU membership
