The EU and Britain Call on Russia to Demonstrate Willingness for Peace in Ukraine During Historic Summit
In the first bilateral summit between the European Union and the United Kingdom since Brexit, held in London, European and British leaders did unanimously call on Russia to take tangible steps toward peace in Ukraine. This was a significant moment in international politics, as it marked the first event of such scale involving EU and UK leaders since the onset of the conflict. In a joint statement issued after the summit, it was emphasized that the participating countries demand Russia’s complete and unconditional cessation of hostilities and readiness to sit at the negotiating table to create fair and long-term conditions for the Ukrainian people on the path to peace. Participants reaffirmed their firm and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders, stressing that these principles remain the foundation of their policy. The document states: "We also commit to continuing to provide Ukraine with comprehensive political, financial, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support for as long and as intensively as necessary to overcome the consequences of Putin’s aggression." EU and UK leaders called on Russia to demonstrate genuine willingness for peace negotiations and an end to the war, emphasizing that it is the Kremlin that must take the first step in this direction. The statement reads: “As before, it is now up to Russia to show its desire to achieve peace by taking concrete steps toward diplomatic resolution of the conflict.” This signals that the international community is ready to support any constructive efforts in this direction and is exerting pressure on Russia to reach peace. Another key point in the statement is the reaffirmation of the intention to intensify pressure on Russia and to maintain sanctions to cut off the financial support to the aggressor. The leaders emphasized that sanctions must remain in force, including measures to prevent their circumvention, as well as sectoral restrictions, notably regarding oil prices. A firm stance was also expressed regarding the seizure of Russian assets: they will remain frozen until Russia ceases military aggression and compensates for all damages experienced by Ukraine. These efforts are complemented by the intention to hold Russian accountable for war crimes. The joint statement emphasizes that the countries have pledged to ensure accountability, including the creation of a special tribunal to investigate and prosecute acts of aggression committed by Russia against the Ukrainian people. This is an important signal from the international community about their unified position in combating impunity in the context of the war in Ukraine. The summit participants also expressed support for reconstruction and recovery processes in Ukraine: an international conference on Ukraine’s recovery is scheduled to take place in July 2025 in Italy. This step demonstrates long-term support for the Ukrainian people in the aftermath of the war and the commitment to ensuring a stable future for the affected region. It should be noted that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Guterres arrived in London only shortly before to participate in this historic summit, which became the first such high-level event between the EU and the UK since Brexit. These meetings reflect the parties’ desire to intensify cooperation in supporting Ukraine and jointly counter challenges posed by Russian aggression, emphasizing a strong political and diplomatic commitment toward peace and security in Europe.