Ukraine and Europe must be involved in any peace talks, the Nordic and Baltic leaders said in a joint statement released on Friday.
“The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is unconditional. Ukraine should be given strong security guarantees. Ukraine and Europe must be involved in any negotiations,” the statement reads.
The NB8 countries, including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden, said in the statement that they “fully and firmly” support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
“Ukraine must be able to prevail against Russia’s war of aggression to ensure a just and lasting peace. The outcome of the war will have fundamental and long-lasting effects on European and transatlantic security,” the statement said.
The NB8 leaders also underlined that their priority now is to strengthen Ukraine, and they will further bolster such support.
The group is also determined to further strengthen collective security and defence and to shoulder responsibility for peace and security in Europe.
The statement comes after US President Donald Trump stunned Ukraine and Washington’s allies in Europe on Wednesday by agreeing to start talks on ending the war in Ukraine during his first phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin since returning to power.
On the same day, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was unrealistic for Ukraine to regain all its land that is currently occupied by Russia or become a NATO member.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday he is ready for direct talks with Russia as soon as Kyiv reaches a common position with the US and Europe on how to end the war.
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