Ukraine: The Key to Peace?
He said the statement made clear that "the people of Ukraine must have the opportunity to determine their own future" and that any deal should not be reached "over the heads of Ukrainians". It highlighted that negotiations should take place amid a pause in the fighting or a marked decrease in violence.

Principles for a Just Peace
It also stressed that any "just and lasting peace" should respect international law and the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, while condemning the use of force to alter borders.

Wider Security Implications
EU leaders underscored that the war waged by Russia has created significant threats to European and global security. The solution should preserve essential security interests in Ukraine as well as in the rest of Europe, they said.

Continued Support for Kyiv
These 26 countries have committed to keeping their sanctions against Moscow in place and continue to support Ukraine whilst the war continues. But their joint tactics are about trying to force Russia to the peace talks everyone has agreed will have to happen eventually.

U.S.-Russia Talks on the Horizon
The message was issued hours before a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin set for Friday in Alaska. The Biden administration has cast the gathering as a key diplomatic building block for wrangling an end to the war.

Potential Land Concessions Discussed
Trump characterized the summit as a "feeling-out process" to see if Putin was amenable to an agreement, and implied that ending the war could involve reconfiguring borders in a way that involves giving up territory on both sides — meaning Ukraine might have to cede some area, too.

Vice President JD Vance told the network that U.S. officials are still trying to set up a one-on-one between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.