EU Sets Red Lines for Permanent Peace in Ukraine After Geneva Talks

WISE NEWS PRESS / JOHANNESBURG — Nov. 24, 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clarified the European Union's fundamental approach to achieving lasting peace in Ukraine amid ongoing international negotiations in Geneva.

Emphasizing that any plan to end the war must respect Ukraine's right to freely determine its own future, von der Leyen stated that limitations cannot be placed on the Ukrainian army and that Europe must be involved in peace talks, as the US presses for a quick agreement this week.

"The European Union's central role in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected," von der Leyen said, outlining other key elements necessary for sustainable peace.

EU's Key Conditions for Lasting Peace

Speaking from Johannesburg in a message to the concurrent meetings in Switzerland, von der Leyen stated that the killings in Ukraine must stop. "Any credible and sustainable peace plan must first and foremost stop the killings and end the war; at the same time, it must not sow the seeds of future conflict."

Von der Leyen listed the key elements the EU has already agreed upon for lasting peace: borders cannot be changed by force; limitations cannot be placed on Ukraine's armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attacks and thus weaken Europe's security; and the EU's central importance in ensuring peace must be fully reflected.

Ukraine Must Freely Determine Its Future

Von der Leyen reiterated that Ukraine has chosen the European path and must have the freedom to determine this future. She said this path begins with reconstruction, deeper integration into the EU's Single Market and defense industry structures, and ultimately full membership in the Union.

The Commission President stressed the importance of the EU working in unity with Kyiv and the "Coalition of the Willing and the US" while moving towards peace.

She added that the return of abducted Ukrainian children is a "critical element that must be part of every agreement" and is "personally very important." "Tens of thousands of children are still trapped in Russia. Scared, waiting to be reunited with their loved ones. We must put these children at the top of the global agenda," she said, announcing an "International Coalition Summit for the Return of Ukrainian Children" to be organized by the EU, Ukraine, and Canada.

A 28-point peace plan prepared by the US has caused concern in Kyiv and European capitals. Zelenskyy said Ukraine might be forced to choose between defending its sovereign rights and maintaining the American support it is completely dependent on. Western allies of Ukraine gathered on Saturday to work on changes to the US plan, which they believe makes too many concessions to Moscow. European officials and national security advisors from Germany, France, and the UK participated in the talks in Geneva on Sunday.

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