Joint Statement on Ukraine Peace Initiative On December 15, 2025, Chancellor Merz alongside Prime Ministers Frederiksen, Meloni, Schoof, Støre, Tusk, Kristersson, Starmer, Presidents Stubb, Macron, Costa, and the European Commission's Ursula von der Leyen released a collaborative statement endorsing substantial measures supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. The leaders welcomed cooperation with US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy toward securing a lasting peace that respects Ukraine's sovereignty.
Concrete Proposals and Security Commitments The statement outlined clear policy proposals, including maintaining Ukraine’s armed forces at a peacetime level of 800,000 personnel as a deterrent, and the creation of a European-led multinational force to support Ukraine’s military regeneration and security operations. A US-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism with international participation was proposed to ensure early warnings and manage potential escalations. Legal commitments were emphasized to restore peace if attacks recur, through military, intelligence, economic, and diplomatic responses.
Economic and Political Orientation Significant investments for Ukraine’s economic recovery and reconstruction were pledged, alongside support for EU accession. The immobilization of Russian sovereign assets within the EU was noted as reparative economic action. The leaders stressed that territorial decisions must be made by Ukrainians post-security assurances and highlighted the necessity of NATO’s role in regional deterrence.
Stakeholder Impacts and Political Cleavages The proposals increase EU and US involvement in Ukraine’s military and security sectors, enhancing NATO's deterrence role and deepening Euro-Atlantic integration. For Ukraine, this translates into strengthened defense capacity and economic prospects but also entails enduring foreign military presence. The EU and taxpayers face considerable resource commitments, including financial support programs and potential budget reallocations. Conversely, Russia confronts intensified diplomatic pressure and asset freezes. The plan balances complex trade-offs between national sovereignty, security guarantees, and economic reconstruction, with a cautious tone underscoring "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed."
This statement reflects the positions of the participating leaders and is open for additional international endorsements.
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