Vitaly Saenko23:58, 06.03.25

A truce can only be achieved if it leads to a comprehensive peace agreement.

The heads of state and government of the European Union member states have agreed on five principles to be followed in connection with the possible start of peace talks to end Russia’s war against Ukraine . This is stated in the conclusions of an informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels.

In particular, given the new impetus for negotiations that should lead to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, EU leaders stressed the importance of the following five principles:

• Firstly, there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine.
• Secondly, there can be no negotiations affecting European security without involving Europe (the security of Ukraine and Europe, transatlantic and global security are interconnected).
• Third, any truce or ceasefire can only take place if it is part of a process leading to a comprehensive peace agreement.
• Fourth, any such agreement must be backed by credible and reliable security guarantees for Ukraine that will help prevent future Russian aggression.
• Fifth, the world must respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

“Achieving ‘peace through strength’ requires that Ukraine be in the strongest possible position, with its own robust military and defence capabilities as an essential component,” the conclusions say.

This must be taken into account both before, during and after negotiations to end the war.

The EU remains committed, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, to providing enhanced political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people, and to increasing pressure on Russia, including through new sanctions and by strengthening the application of existing measures, to weaken Russia’s ability to continue to wage aggressive war.

At the same time, in 2025, the EU will provide Ukraine with assistance in the amount of 30.6 billion euros. It is expected that payments under the Ukraine Facility initiative will reach 12.5 billion euros, and payments under the G7 ERA initiative, received from frozen Russian assets, will amount to 18.1 billion euros.

The European Council also reviewed the work done to provide military support to Ukraine.

In addition to the funds already allocated for Ukraine this year, EU leaders welcome the readiness of Member States to urgently step up efforts to meet Ukraine’s urgent military and defence needs, particularly in terms of air defence systems, ammunition and missiles, the necessary training and equipment for Ukrainian brigades, and other needs. The conclusions state:

“The European Council calls on the Commission to move forward quickly on the initiatives, in particular by the High Representative (Kaja Kallas), to coordinate EU military support to Ukraine, including the military needs component of the G7 ERA initiative.”

In addition, it is noted that the European Union and its member states are ready to make a further contribution to ensuring security guarantees on the basis of relevant competencies and capabilities, and taking into account international law, including by exploring the possible use of instruments of the common security and defence policy.

Peace in Ukraine – Zelensky’s concept

As UNIAN reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented to the heads of state and government of the EU member states what the necessary steps towards peace should be . In particular, Russia, as the only source of the war, must recognize the need to end it. This can be proven by ending attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure, that is, a truce in the use of missiles, bombs and long-range drones, and a truce on the water, that is, ending military operations in the Black Sea. The next step is basic trust in the circumstances in which the negotiations are taking place – that the Russians are not deceiving anyone. In his opinion, the release of prisoners can be a means of establishing basic trust.

(c)UNIAN 2025