The head of the European Commission issued a firm statement stressing that Ukraine — not global powers or outside negotiators — must ultimately decide the conditions of any agreement aimed at ending Russia’s ongoing war. Her remarks came as international debate grows over what a potential settlement might require and who should have the authority to shape it.
She underscored that the European Union will not support any proposal that forces Ukraine to surrender territory or accept a deal dictated by Moscow. According to her, peace built on coercion would not only violate international norms but would also create deeper instability across Europe. She argued that lasting security on the continent depends on a peace agreement rooted in fairness, sovereignty and full respect for Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.
The Commission president also warned that the EU must remain actively involved in supporting Ukraine both during negotiations and in the postwar reconstruction that would follow. She stressed that Europe has a responsibility to ensure Ukraine is not pressured into an agreement that compromises its independence or long-term safety.
Her comments come as various world leaders propose different frameworks for ending the conflict, some of which include concessions that Ukrainian officials have repeatedly rejected. The EU chief made clear that Europe’s position will remain aligned with Ukraine’s own demands: no territorial concessions, no externally imposed conditions and no settlement that rewards aggression.
She concluded that the only sustainable peace is one Ukraine freely accepts — and one that allows the country to decide its own future without intimidation or forced compromise.