EUCO 16/25 - extract

1. The European Council held an exchange of views with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

2. Recalling its previous conclusions, the European Council reiterates its support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Reiterating the principles set out on 6 March 2025, the European Council welcomes all efforts towards achieving such a peace, including those led by the United States. The European Union and its Member States will continue to contribute to all these peace efforts, including by intensifying their global outreach, in accordance with the European Union’s aim to promote peace, as enshrined in the Treaties.

3. The European Council strongly condemns the continuous bombing of civilians and civilian infrastructure by Russia and calls for a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire. The European Council welcomes Ukraine’s readiness in this regard. It urges Russia to show real political will to end its war of aggression, to agree to such a ceasefire, and to engage in meaningful negotiations. The European Union stands ready to increase pressure as necessary to that end, including with a new robust package of sanctions including ways in which Russia’s energy revenues could be further targeted.

4. The European Council underlines the importance of humanitarian relief efforts and confidence-building measures, notably the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilians and the return of all abducted Ukrainian children and other civilians unlawfully deported and transferred to Russia and Belarus.

5. The European Council reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In line with the ‘peace through strength’ approach, which requires Ukraine to be in the strongest possible position, with its own robust military and defence capabilities as an essential component, the European Union will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people.

6. The European Council calls on Member States to keep stepping up efforts to address Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs, in particular the delivery of air defence and anti-drone systems, and large-calibre ammunition, to help Ukraine, as it exercises its inherent right to self-defence, to protect its citizens and territory against Russia’s intensified daily attacks. The European Council underlines the importance of accelerating work to further support and develop Ukraine’s defence industry and to deepen its cooperation and integration with the European defence industry. It also calls for decisions under the European Peace Facility to be operationalised as soon as possible. It underlines the importance of the military needs component of the G7 ERA initiative.

7. For peace to last, a comprehensive peace agreement will have to be accompanied by robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine to deter future Russian aggression. The European Union and Member States are ready to contribute to security guarantees, in particular by supporting Ukraine’s ability to deter aggression and defend itself effectively, based on their respective competences and capabilities, in line with international law. The European Union and Member States are committed to contributing to training and equipping the Ukrainian Armed Forces for this purpose.

8. All military support as well as security guarantees for Ukraine will be provided in full respect of the security and defence policy of certain Member States and taking into account the security and defence interests of all Member States.

9. The European Union, together with partners, is determined to limit Russia’s ability to continue waging its war of aggression. Sanctions are an essential part of the EU’s policy to achieve this common objective. The European Council welcomes the adoption of the 17th package of sanctions, targeting notably Russia’s energy and financial sector, including the ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers and their operators. The European Council calls for further measures against Russia’s shadow fleet, which is used by Russia to circumvent sanctions and poses significant environmental and security risks. In this context, it calls on the Council to swiftly adopt a new package of sanctions. It also underlines the importance of further strengthening the anti-circumvention measures. Subject to EU law, Russia’s assets should remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by this war.

10. The European Council strongly condemns support by third countries, and actors and entities therein, which enable Russia to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine. The European Council condemns the continued military support provided by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK. It urges all countries to immediately cease any direct or indirect assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine.

11. The European Union will continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support in the long term. In 2025, the European Union will provide Ukraine with EUR 30.6 billion, of which EUR 3.5 billion has already been disbursed under the Ukraine Facility, and EUR 7 billion under the G7 ERA initiative, which is repaid by the windfall profits stemming from immobilised Russian assets.

12. The European Union remains committed, including as part of Ukraine’s path to EU accession, to supporting its repair, recovery and reconstruction, in coordination with international partners, including in the areas of psychological and psychosocial rehabilitation and increased demining assistance. In this context, the European Council looks forward to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on 10 and 11 July 2025.

13. The European Council reaffirms the EU’s strong commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In this context, the recent progress made on establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, within the framework of the Council of Europe, is an important step.

14. The European Council reiterates the inherent right of Ukraine to choose its own destiny, based on the UN Charter and international law. The European Union remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s path towards EU membership. The European Council commends Ukraine for the pace of its accession-related reforms under the most challenging circumstances, welcomes the significant progress achieved, and encourages Ukraine and the Commission to intensify work in the accession process. The European Council invites the Council to take the next steps in the accession process in line with the merit-based approach, with clusters being opened when the conditions are met. It takes good note of the assessment of the Commission that the fundamentals cluster is ready to be opened.

15. The European Council will revert to this issue at its next meeting.