European leaders hail Trump-led progress on Ukraine peace efforts

(MENAFN) European officials expressed optimism on Monday over what they described as meaningful advances in an initiative led by U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, according to a jointly released statement issued in Berlin.

The declaration, endorsed by senior European leaders and EU officials, said there had been “significant progress” toward achieving “a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” It highlighted intensified coordination among teams representing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Trump, and multiple European governments over recent weeks.

According to the statement, leaders committed to working alongside Trump and Zelenskyy “to get to a lasting peace which preserves Ukrainian sovereignty and European security,” pointing to what they described as “strong convergence between the United States, Ukraine and Europe.”

The signatories emphasized that “ensuring the security, sovereignty, and prosperity of Ukraine was integral for wider Euro-Atlantic security,” adding that Ukraine should be guaranteed “a prosperous, independent, and sovereign future, free from fear of future Russian aggression.”

As outlined in the statement, any potential agreement to end the conflict would include pledges from both the U.S. and European partners to deliver “robust security guarantees and economic recovery support measures.” These proposals include ongoing assistance to maintain Ukraine’s military capacity, which “should remain at a peacetime level of 800,000,” as well as the establishment of a “European-led ‘multinational force Ukraine’” operating under the Coalition of the Willing with backing from Washington.

The framework also envisions a U.S.-led “ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism with international participation,” along with binding commitments to respond to any future military aggression. Such responses could involve “armed force, intelligence and logistical assistance,” according to the statement.

European leaders also said they would continue investing in Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic recovery, noting that “Russian sovereign assets in the European Union have been immobilized.” In addition, they reiterated that they “strongly support Ukraine’s accession to the EU.”

The statement reaffirmed core principles, stressing that “international borders must not be changed by force” and that “decisions on territory are for the people of Ukraine,” once credible security guarantees are secured. It further cautioned that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.”

The leaders concluded by saying it was now “incumbent upon Russia” to demonstrate genuine intent to end the war by accepting President Trump’s peace proposal and agreeing to a ceasefire.

According to reports, discussions involving representatives from the U.S., Ukraine, and several European countries began in Berlin on Sunday, with high-level consultations continuing later that day. European Union officials are also expected to convene later this week to determine whether frozen Russian state assets should be used to support Ukraine.

MENAFN16122025000045017640ID1110485380