“Check against delivery”
President Metsola,
Minister Bjerre,
Honourable Members,
I want to start this debate not in Geneva but in Ternopil – a city in Western Ukraine nearer to the Polish border than it is to Kyiv. In the early hours of one morning last week, a storm of Russian drones and missiles rained down. The sheer force of the attacks leading to an inferno erupting. In the burning wreckage laid injured victims and more than 30 dead – innocent men, women and children. Children like Amelka. A seven-year-old girl from Poland who was in second grade at the local school. Amelka died in her mothers arms. Both of them killed in a mindless and callous act of brutality. On behalf of the Commission and all of us in this House today, I want to start by paying my deepest condolences to all those mourning the victims of Ternopil – and right across Ukraine.
Over three and a half years into this war of aggression, this is the daily reality on the ground. And it shows that we can never lose sight of what Ukraine is sacrificing. What Ukraine is fighting for – its security, its freedom, its independence. Because ultimately this is what is at stake in these crucial days for Ukraine and for Europe. Basically, the core and values of the UN Charter. This is why Europe must keep up the pressure on Russia – until there is a just and lasting peace. And I want to be clear from the very outset: Europe will stand with Ukraine and support Ukraine every step of the way.
Honourable Members,
Russias playbook has not changed. From the start Russia has always believed that they can outlast Ukraine, Europe and all of its allies. And it is why every time there is serious progress towards negotiations that can bring about a real peace – the violence escalates. We have seen this before. This is a pattern. And the noises from the Kremlin in the last few days say a lot about its real intentions. For them, Ukraine remains a first step in a much bigger game. For Russia, any peace deal is about permanently redrawing maps. It is about returning to great power relations and spheres of influence. But for Ukraine – and for Europe – any peace agreement is about creating a just and lasting peace. Peace that stops this conflict and does not sow the seeds for new future conflicts. And it is about ensuring a strong and sustainable security architecture for our continent. One that is underpinned by a strong Europe, a strong NATO and a strong transatlantic partnership. And that is what we will defend alongside Ukraine and our allies every step of the way.
Honourable Members,
A just and lasting peace. This is what we all want. And this is why Europe supports all efforts to build that peace for Ukraine. A peace that stops the killing. One that avoids setting a dangerous precedent. One that guarantees Ukraines security and its sovereign rights in the long term. And that ensures a robust security architecture for Europe. This is why we welcome the efforts led by President Trump. After months of discussions, it is important that the work on an actual text started. Of course, we all know that more effort is needed. But I believe – thanks to the work of Ukraine, the United States and us Europeans over the last few days in Geneva – we now have a starting point. Our united front, our single voice and our shared sense of purpose must continue to guide the work at European level. And I would like to outline some of the core priorities for Europe as we work with Ukraine, the US and the Coalition of the Willing on the way forward.
The first is that any agreement should deliver a just and lasting peace. And it should ensure real security for Ukraine and Europe. As a sovereign nation, there can be no limitations on Ukraines armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack. And this is as much about deterrence as it is about Europes security. Because Ukraines security is Europes security. So Ukraine needs robust, long-term and credible security guarantees as part of a wider package to dissuade and deter any future attacks from Russia. And it is equally clear that any peace agreement needs to ensure that European security is guaranteed for the long-term.
Second priority – upholding Ukraines sovereignty. We know that Russias mindset has not changed since the days of Yalta. Seeing our continent in terms of spheres of influence. So we need to be clear that there cannot be unilateral carving up of a sovereign European nation. And that borders cannot be changed by force. If today we legitimise and formalise the undermining of borders – we open the doors for more wars tomorrow. And this goes against any sustainable peace that we are striving for.
Sovereignty also means being able to choose your own future. Ukraine has chosen a European destiny. That has already led to partial integration in our Single Market and our defence industrial base. And this is only the start of a journey. Ukraines future lies in the European Union. This is not only a matter of destiny. This is a core and essential part of any security guarantee framework. And we will do everything we can, to deliver on it together.
Third priority – securing Ukraines financial needs. In the absence of any real intent of Russia to engage in peace talks, it is clear that we need to support Ukraine to defend itself. And that starts by ensuring that they have the necessary financial means. In the last European Council, we committed ourselves to cover the financial needs of Ukraine for 2026 and 2027. On this topic we have presented an options paper. This includes an option on immobilized Russian assets. The next step is that the Commission is ready to present the legal text. To be very clear – I cannot see a scenario in which the European taxpayers alone will pay the bill. And another thing must also be clear – any decision on this needs to be taken in line with the rules of the responsible jurisdictions and will respect European and international law.
The fourth priority – whatever the design of a future peace treaty, it is clear that much of the implementation will come down to the European Union and its NATO partners. Whether on security guarantees, sanctions, financing of Ukraines reconstruction, integration of the Single Market, or EU membership. This principle has been accepted. Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Nothing about Europe without Europe. Nothing about NATO without NATO.
The last priority I would like to focus on is one that cannot be forgotten – and that is the return of each and every Ukrainian child abducted by Russia. There are tens of thousands of boys and girls whose fate is unknown. Trapped by Russia in Russia. We will not forget them. There are thousands of moms and dads who have never stopped hoping and never stopped fighting to bring their children back. And Europe will never give up in helping to make that happen.
Honourable Members,
The days ahead are fraught with danger – first and foremost for the people of Ukraine who continue to face the daily barrage of attacks. Yes, the situation is complex. Yes, the situation is volatile. Yes, the situation is dangerous. But I believe there is also an opportunity here to make real progress. So far, we have seen no signs from Russia of true willingness to end this conflict. So we have to keep up the pressure. And it is our duty to engage with any and all efforts that can bring about a just and lasting peace. We know it will not be easy. But we have to find a way to move forward. To find a way to end the killing. To help Ukraine rebuild and reconstruct. To return the children and reunite families. To provide lasting security for Ukraine – and for our Continent as a whole. And above all to forge a better future – a European future – for Ukraine.
Long live Europe.
