Clear EU conditions for ending the war
Geneva has once again become a venue for complex diplomatic talks, this time centred on the emerging U.S. “peace plan” aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. European leaders delivered an unequivocal message: peace is only possible if it is just, lasting and firmly grounded in international law. In a joint statement, EU officials stressed that any settlement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, underscoring that compromises outside these principles are unacceptable.
Major European capitals have expressed concern that early drafts of the U.S. proposal could limit Ukraine’s defensive capabilities or undermine its territorial integrity. Brussels reiterated that the Ukrainian people must retain the freedom to determine their own future and that any peace arrangement must reflect their democratic will.
European leaders push back against risky compromises
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe supports peace, but “not peace at any price”, insisting that any plan must guarantee Ukraine’s security and the stability of the wider continent. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz added that the proposal must not become a mechanism for pressuring Kyiv, but a credible foundation for ending the war under conditions acceptable to Ukraine.
EU officials emphasised that Europe is ready to work closely with the United States and other partners to refine the peace framework. However, any final agreement must protect Ukraine’s national interests and uphold its constitutional rights, particularly regarding sovereignty, defence and strategic alignment.
Ensuring legitimacy and long-term stability
European leaders maintain that peace can only endure if it is legitimate and reflects the will of the Ukrainian people. No negotiation, they warn, can be allowed to erode Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty or choose its strategic direction, including future membership in the EU. Diplomats note that the current phase of talks is a critical opportunity to demonstrate that the international community can guarantee Ukraine’s security without rewarding aggression.
Only a just and durable peace, they argue, can offer a reliable foundation for Ukraine’s future and for Europe’s long-term stability, making clear that concessions to military coercion cannot become the basis of any settlement.
