Paris statement: Europe and Ukraine must be involved in any talks to end Russia-instigated war

Europe should take part in any peace talks to end the Russo-Ukrainian war, according to a joint Paris Statement from the foreign affairs ministers of Ukraine, France, Britain, Spain, Italy, Poland, Germany, and the European Union (EU).

The statement, quoted by Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, came in the wake of a phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

“We are looking forward to discussing the way ahead together with our American allies. Our shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength,” the statement says.

The ministers emphasized that Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening support for Ukraine.

“We are ready to enhance our support for Ukraine. We commit to its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s war of aggression. We share the goal to keep supporting Ukraine until a just, comprehensive and lasting peace is reached,” the declaration reads.

Peace must protect the interests of both Ukraine and its European allies, the ministers stress, adding that strong security guarantees for Ukraine must be provided.

A just and lasting peace in Ukraine is essential for the security of the Euro-Atlantic region, they say.

“We recall that the security of the European continent is our common responsibility. We are therefore working together to strengthen our collective defense capabilities.” 

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that returning Ukraine’s borders to their 2014 status when the Crimean Peninsula and parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions were occupied, is not a realistic goal. 

He also noted that the U.S. does not see Ukraine’s NATO membership as a viable outcome for a peaceful resolution of the war.

Additionally, Trump announced plans to meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia.