European Leaders Pledge Security Guarantees to Ukraine Amid Ongoing Peace Talks

European leaders have committed to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, including military support, as part of efforts to end the conflict with Russia, though territorial disputes remain unresolved.

In a joint statement released on December 15, 2025, ten European leaders, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, outlined their commitment to assist Ukraine in the event of future aggression. The proposed measures encompass "armed force, intelligence and logistical assistance, economic and diplomatic actions."

The security guarantees include maintaining Ukraine's military strength at approximately 800,000 troops during peacetime and establishing a European-led multinational force to operate on Ukrainian soil. This force aims to rebuild Ukrainian forces, secure airspace, and ensure maritime safety. Additionally, a U.S.-led mechanism is proposed to monitor and verify any eventual ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the progress made during the Berlin talks, stating, "I am grateful that we truly worked very well together." He acknowledged that territorial issues remain a significant challenge due to disagreements with Russia, which seeks to control more land. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of dignity in the negotiations, noting that certain destructive elements have been removed from the new versions of the documents.

The joint statement also highlighted that any decisions regarding territory should be made by the Ukrainian people once robust security guarantees are in place. European leaders urged Russia to demonstrate a willingness to work towards lasting peace by agreeing to the peace plan promoted by the White House and establishing a ceasefire, a step that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly refused to take.

The Berlin meeting was attended by U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who met with Zelenskyy on December 14. European leaders joined the discussions on December 15 for the second round of talks. The diplomatic breakthrough comes ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, where leaders are set to decide on raising €90 billion to finance Ukraine's budgetary and military needs for 2026 and 2027.