Following trilateral talks with the United States, EU leaders have called for creating a security mechanism for Ukraine similar to NATO’s Article 5, with the United States also participating.
According to a written statement issued after a video conference of EU leaders chaired by European Council President António Costa, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have accelerated after more than three and a half years of conflict, and the process of providing security guarantees to Ukraine has gained new momentum.
The EU leaders described US President Donald Trump’s participation in this process as an “important and encouraging step”.
“Now is the time to create a robust security mechanism in line with NATO’s Article 5, with the participation of the United States,” the statement said.
The EU leaders recalled that the Ukrainian army is “Europe’s first line of defense”. They stressed that the EU remains the largest provider of military and economic assistance to Kiev, and that the volume of this support will increase.
“Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security,” the document states.
It was also emphasized that the first step to peace is an immediate cessation of “violence” by Russia; otherwise, the sanctions will remain and will be intensified.
The issue of EU membership
The statement also emphasizes that Ukraine’s future is linked to security guarantees and its integration into the EU. It emphasizes that the process of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union must be accelerated.
The document recalls that Europe has shown full solidarity with Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.
The document says, “We have a difficult path ahead, but we will continue to support Ukraine on its path to peace and EU membership. “
