International leaders emphasize the necessity for Ukraine to receive trustworthy security assurances
In a joint statement on August 10, 2020, several European leaders expressed their unwavering support for Ukraine's role in achieving a lasting and fair peace in the country. The statement underscored the importance of including Ukraine as an essential participant in decision-making and respecting its sovereignty and security interests.
According to the statement, the path to peace in Ukraine "cannot be decided without Ukraine," highlighting the need to protect both Ukrainian and broader European security. The leaders emphasized that a peace settlement must guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity and security, and that resolving underlying causes comprehensively rather than just achieving a temporary ceasefire is crucial.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed full support for the statement, underlining that the end of the war must be fair and safeguard Ukraine's vital security interests. Zelensky has previously stated that past dealings with Russia have shown that yielding to its demands is counterproductive and only emboldens Putin.
The statement also reiterated the principle of the inadmissibility of changing international borders by force, and the need for Ukraine to be free to choose its own destiny. This approach contrasts with proposals excluding Kyiv or sacrificing Ukrainian territorial sovereignty, which the European leaders and Ukrainian government have rejected.
The leaders called for international support, including economic and political pressures such as sanctions, to encourage constructive engagement in peace talks. The European leaders also expressed their readiness to support efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine.
The joint statement was signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish President Donald Tusk, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Meanwhile, the White House is considering the possibility of inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. However, no information has been provided about the Ukrainian drones striking a Russian oil refinery in Saratov, or SBU drones attacking a terminal storing shahids in Tatarstan, which are not directly related to the content of the statement.
Kyiv will not allow another attempt by Russia to divide the country, the President of Ukraine emphasized. Zelensky has already stated that Ukrainians will not "give away" their land to Russia. Putin, on the other hand, fears sanctions and tries to avoid them, but is trying to sell a cessation of deaths at the highest price, by demanding the legalization of the occupation of seized Ukrainian regions, according to Zelensky.
In conclusion, the European leaders' joint statement emphasizes the importance of Ukraine's active consent, security guarantees, and addressing the conflict's root causes, supported by coordinated international diplomacy and solidarity. The leaders aim for a peace that addresses root causes and ensures long-term security, while rejecting proposals that exclude Kyiv or sacrifice Ukrainian territorial sovereignty.
The joint statement by European leaders underscores the need for policy-and-legislation that ensures Ukraine's inclusion in the resolution of war-and-conflicts, focusing on comprehensive peace settlements and respecting its sovereignty and security interests. The leaders also advocate for politics that support general-news reporting about Ukraine's role in achieving a fair and lasting peace, and for international collaboration towards achieving this goal.
