European leaders hold consultations on Ukraine peace efforts

European leaders held another round of consultations on Ukraine and the continuation of peace negotiations during a call hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, bringing together participants from across Europe and Canada.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb thanked Merz for convening the discussion, describing it as helpful in aligning positions.

“Very useful in consolidating our joint assessment of the overall situation,” Stubb said, adding that leaders would “continue to work with our Ukrainian and American friends in the coming days and weeks.”

Merz said the talks were held within the so-called Berlin Format and focused on advancing the peace process.

“We held further consultations today with our European and Canadian partners in the Berlin Format. We are moving the peace process forward,” he said, stressing that “transparency and honesty are now required from everyone – including Russia.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the discussions covered continued support for Ukraine, its security and post-war reconstruction. She underlined that Ukraine’s long-term stability was closely tied to its European future.

“Ultimately, the prosperity of a free Ukrainian state lies in the accession to the EU,” von der Leyen said, calling accession “a key security guarantee in its own right” and noting that EU enlargement “benefits the whole of Europe.” 

By Aghakazim Guliyev