Kyiv/Lviv/Oslo/Brussels, 10 May 2025
The EU remains steadfast in its commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and international law and welcomes all efforts towards achieving such peace:
“We join Ukraine and international partners, including the United States, in calling for a full, unconditional ceasefire of at least 30 days. This pause in hostilities could serve as a vital step toward reducing civilian suffering and allow space for meaningful talks for genuine peace aimed at ending Russia’s war of aggression and restoring a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. As in the past, it is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace.”
This statement was supported by other non-EU participants at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Lviv on 9 May: Moldova, North Macedonia, Norway, Ukraine and United Kingdom.
Source – EU Council
Moscow Should Accept the Ceasefire, Because That’s the Only Way Real Peace Can Start – President Zelenskyy
Kyiv, 9 May 2025
Ukraine is ready for a reliable and lasting ceasefire for at least 30 days. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during an online address at the JEF Member States Summit held in Oslo.
The Head of State congratulated the summit participants on Europe Day and emphasized that the future of Europe largely depends on the choices and actions taken now.
“It’s really important that we stay strong and keep working together – just like we’re doing now. That’s the whole point of formats like JEF – and of our cooperation – Ukraine with Northern Europe, with the UK, with the Netherlands, with the Baltic states, and with all our other partners,” the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is currently engaged in active, positive, and productive communication with the United States. In particular, he had a phone conversation yesterday with U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the Head of State, the joint efforts are focused on achieving a reliable and lasting ceasefire for at least 30 days – a goal Ukraine is ready for.
“If Russia keeps dragging out the war, we’ll need stronger sanctions – especially if they break the ceasefire when it finally happens. The U.S. and all of you in Europe know what hurts Russia the most – what really puts pressure on Moscow to think about peace and stopping this war. Moscow should accept the ceasefire, because that’s the only way real peace can start. Diplomacy needs silence,” the President emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked partners for their support and called for close coordination with the United States. He also mentioned that Ukraine is preparing for a meeting with the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing.
“We need this Coalition – and we need it to be strong enough to guarantee security the way we all agree on. I’m sure Europe will only benefit from this kind of teamwork – it’ll help strengthen the whole security setup we already have. Tomorrow – the meetings,” he said.
The summit also focused on further cooperation, steps toward a ceasefire, and pressure on Russia.
Participants included President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Prime Ministers Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, Mette Frederiksen of Denmark, Kristen Michal of Estonia, Kristrún Frostadóttir of Iceland, Evika Siliņa of Latvia, Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway, Ulf Kristersson of Sweden, and Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
The President thanked for Ukraine’s participation in the JEF format and the opportunity to join efforts in the field of security.
The Joint Expeditionary Force Leaders’ Summit in Oslo: Joint press statement
Oslo, 9 May 2025
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We, the Leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), met today in Oslo to reaffirm our shared commitment to European security and stability, our strengthened support to Ukraine and our continuous effort to understand and respond to regional security challenges together, especially in the maritime domain.
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In an increasingly unpredictable and contested security environment, the JEF will continue to develop as a flexible and credible tool for dialogue, deterrence and defence in Northern Europe. We are determined to strengthen our cooperation, and demonstrate our contribution to Euro-Atlantic security and transatlantic burden sharing.
Today, we agreed:
1. To Invite Ukraine to form an ‘Enhanced Partnership’ with the JEF
The JEF nations, following decisions taken at the last Summit in Tallinn, seek a deepening of the relationship between the JEF and Ukraine. The JEF stands with Ukraine. The enhanced partnership may include a number of activities and initiatives, such as:
- Ukrainian participation in relevant military exercises, high level meetings and fora;
- Further develop training assistance for Ukraine’s Armed Forces;
- Increased mutual learning on modern warfare and technological innovation.
- Preparations for deeper Ukrainian involvement in future JEF activity.
2. To further increase the JEF’s deterrence and peacetime activity
The JEF nations are committed to contributing to credible deterrence in peacetime, and to reacting quickly and flexibly in close coordination with NATO in a crisis situation, especially situations of security concern short of Article 5.
We will increase JEF effectiveness by ensuring further harmonisation with NATO planning, exploring closer total defence cooperation, and reviewing JEF’s Joint Response Options.
3. To increase awareness of the strategic dependencies in the whole JEF region
The JEF nations reaffirm the Baltic Sea region, the High North and the North Atlantic as our core, interlinked, geostrategic area of concern and mutual interest.
We will increase awareness, understanding and coordination of activities and efforts across the whole JEF region complimentary to NATO and national operations.
Today, we reaffirm that the JEF remain united, flexible and relevant to our security.
Source – Government of Norway
