Brussels / Kyiv (Rajeev Sharma): Eighteen global leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to securing a “just and lasting peace” for Ukraine while supporting the call for an immediate halt to hostilities.
The statement, also endorsed by the heads of government from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, and the European Union, expressed unified backing for U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to establish a ceasefire along the current line of contact as the basis for peace negotiations.
“We strongly support President Trump’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations,” the leaders declared.
Emphasis on Upholding International Law
While endorsing an immediate cessation of hostilities, the joint message underscored that “international borders must not be changed by force,” reiterating long-standing Western opposition to Russia’s territorial claims.
The leaders criticized Moscow’s continued aggression, stating that “Russia’s stalling tactics have shown time and time again that Ukraine is the only party serious about peace.” They accused President Vladimir Putin of deliberately prolonging the war through violence and destruction.
Strengthening Ukraine’s Position
The joint communiqué also emphasized that Ukraine’s ability to defend itself remains central to achieving peace.
“Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position – before, during, and after any ceasefire,” the statement read.
To that end, the coalition pledged to intensify economic and defence-related sanctions on Russia, targeting its financial systems and military-industrial capacity. The leaders also announced plans to utilize Russia’s immobilized sovereign assets to provide long-term financial support for Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence.
Upcoming Diplomatic Meetings
The signatories confirmed that they will convene later this week during the European Council and in the Coalition of the Willing format to discuss next steps in advancing peace efforts and coordinating assistance for Kyiv.
A Unified Front Amid War Fatigue
The rare joint statement — bringing together a wide range of transatlantic and European leaders — signals a coordinated effort to both pressure Moscow and sustain support for Kyiv amid growing calls for a diplomatic resolution.
While some analysts view the endorsement of Trump’s ceasefire framework as a pragmatic turn in the conflict, others caution that a pause in fighting could risk entrenching Russia’s territorial gains.
For now, however, the world’s major democratic powers appear aligned on one message: peace must come through strength, unity, and accountability — not capitulation.
