European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine must receive strong security guarantees capable of protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity as diplomatic activity around a possible peace process intensified.
Speaking alongside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, von der Leyen rejected limits on Ukraine's armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. She welcomed US willingness to contribute to security guarantees and said Europe and the Coalition of the Willing were prepared to play their part.
Von der Leyen also said international borders cannot be changed by force and that decisions on Ukrainian territory can only be made by Ukraine. She added that the EU would maintain economic pressure on Russia while preparing a 19th sanctions package.