Europe ready to strengthen support for Ukraine and demands participation in talks

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has secured European allies' support at the Paris security talks.

In a joint statement, the European foreign ministers said they were committed to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the face of Russia's war of aggression.

"We share the goal to keep supporting Ukraine until a just, comprehensive and lasting peace is reached. A peace that guarantees the interest of Ukraine and our own," the statement reads.

The foreign ministers are also looking forward to discussing the way forward “together with our American allies.”

"Our shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength. Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations," the joint statement reads.

European ministers emphasize that Ukraine should be provided with strong security guarantees.

"A just and lasting peace in Ukraine is a necessary condition for a strong transatlantic security. We recall that the security of the European continent is our common responsibility. We are therefore working together to strengthen our collective defense capabilities," the statement reads.

Ukraine and Europe discuss cooperation with the Trump administration

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that during the security talks in Paris, Sybiha and his colleagues exchanged views on the interaction of European allies with the new US administration and strengthening Euro-Atlantic security.

Sybiha emphasized the need to adhere to the principles of nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine and nothing about Europe without Europe.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister emphasized that Kyiv is ready to play an important role in strengthening Euro-Atlantic security thanks to its strong army, technology, defense industry, and unique experience.

"Ukraine has had too many bad deals in the past. Budapest in 1994. Bucharest in 2008. Minsk in 2015. The conclusion is simple: no security arrangement at the expense of Ukraine or its security will bring reliable security to the Euro-Atlantic community. With this negative experience behind us, we seek instead a good deal that will bring sustainable security and a truly just peace. Such a result can only be achieved from a position of strength," Sybiha said.

Comprehensive security guarantees

The Ukrainian minister emphasized that a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace requires comprehensive security guarantees to prevent a repeat of Russian aggression and to deter the Kremlin.

This approach involves many elements, including:

• total sanctions pressure on Russia,
• isolation and embargo for Russia,
• maximum strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities,
• scaling up Ukrainian and European defense production,
• use of military contingents of partners to deter Russia from repeating aggression,
• ... and other components that will be effective only in combination.

"As a result of the talks, the allies reaffirmed their readiness to maintain and strengthen support for Ukraine, including military support, regardless of any circumstances. They also agreed to work together with the United States to achieve a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace in Ukraine and long-term security in Europe," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

Earlier, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the new US presidential administration supports NATO in establishing a lasting peace in Ukraine after Russia's full-scale war. He also emphasized that no Minsk agreements should be allowed to stand, and named the common positions of NATO and the United States on Russia's war in Ukraine.

On February 12, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about contacts between Russia and the United States and emphasized that decisions without Ukraine would be dangerous for everyone.