Brussels, 16 August 2025
Statement by EU Commission President von der Leyen, European Council President Costa, French President Macron, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, German Chancellor Merz, British Prime Minister Starmer, Finnish President Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Tusk
Early this morning, President Trump debriefed us and President Zelenskyy following his meeting with the Russian President in Alaska on 15 August 2025.
Leaders welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace.
As President Trump said ‘there’s no deal until there’s a deal’. As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon.
We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support.
We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump’s statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine‘s pathway to EU and NATO.
It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.
Our support to Ukraine will continue. We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting and a just and lasting peace.
As long as the killing in Ukraine continues, we stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia’s war economy until there is a just and lasting peace.
Ukraine can count on our unwavering solidarity as we work towards a peace that safeguards Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.
Source – EU Commission
Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Nordic Baltic Eight on Ukraine
Published
To achieve a just and lasting peace the next step must be together with Ukraine. Only Ukraine can make decisions concerning its future. No decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine, and no decisions on Europe without Europe.
Experience has shown that Putin cannot be trusted. Ultimately it is Russia’s responsibility to end its blatant violations of international law. Russia’s aggression and imperialist ambitions are the root causes of this war.
Achieving a just and lasting peace requires a ceasefire. And credible security guarantees for Ukraine. A peace agreement needs firm and concrete commitments by transatlantic partners to safeguard Ukraine against any future aggression. We welcome President Trump’s statement that the US is prepared to participate in security guarantees. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with other countries. Russia has no veto over Ukraine’s pathway to the EU and NATO.
We demand that Russia urgently returns children who have been abducted from occupied territories, as well as prisoners of war and civilian prisoners.
We will continue to arm Ukraine and enhance Europe’s defences to deter further Russian aggression. As long as Russia continues its killing we will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia’s war economy.
We stand firm in our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Source – Government of Sweden