'Ukraine should be given strong security guarantees,' say leaders in joint statement, adding 'Ukraine, Europe must be involved in any negotiations to achieve just and lasting peace'
Nordic-Baltic countries reiterated on Friday that Ukraine and Europe must play a central role in any negotiations aimed at securing a just and lasting peace.
"Ukraine should be given strong security guarantees. Ukraine and Europe must be involved in any negotiations to achieve just and lasting peace," the leaders said in a joint statement.
The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing that the resolution of the war "will have significant implications for European and transatlantic security."
"We stand fully and firmly behind Ukraine. Ukraine must be able to prevail against Russia's war of aggression to ensure a just and lasting peace," the statement added.
The statement also underscored that the war's outcome will have fundamental and long-lasting effects on European and transatlantic security.
"Peace must be pursued through strength," the statement said, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to be central to any peace negotiations.
"We are engaging with Ukraine, the United States, and all our NATO allies and EU partners on how to achieve peace through strength," it said.
"Our priority now is to strengthen Ukraine. Our countries are some of the largest per capita contributors of military assistance to Ukraine. We will further bolster our support," the statement continued.
"We are investing strongly in our own defense. We are determined to further strengthen our collective security and defense and to shoulder our responsibility for peace and security in Europe," the statement concluded.
