The EU rejects the proposed restrictions on the Ukrainian army and calls for a single framework for peace negotiations.

Brussels, November 23, 2025 – The European Union and a group of European leaders and international partners have stated, in a joint declaration adopted in Johannesburg, that any peace plan for Ukraine must uphold the territorial integrity of the country, respect the principle of sovereignty, and not impose restrictions on its defense capabilities. European leaders believe that the proposed limitations on the Ukrainian army would weaken the state and undermine European security as a whole.

In a separate message, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that "borders cannot be changed by force" and that a sovereign Ukraine cannot be constrained by agreements that would weaken its defense. She insisted that any "credible and sustainable" solution must stop the violence and not create conditions for a future conflict. According to the declaration, key elements of a lasting peace include respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, maintaining its ability to defend itself, and the central role of the European Union in the post-conflict architecture.

Leaders also discussed the American 28-point proposal regarding a possible peace agreement. The document is considered a basis "that requires further work," especially regarding the articles that limit the Ukrainian armed forces. The signatory states conveyed that measures affecting the EU or NATO will require the agreement of their members, reaffirming the principles of institutional sovereignty. They reiterated that borders cannot be changed through military aggression and that European stability directly depends on Ukraine's ability to ensure its own defense.

Von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine has the right to choose its European destiny, and its future begins with reconstruction, integration into the Single Market, connecting to the European defense industrial base, and ultimately, joining the European Union. She called for all discussions regarding peace to take place "on a single track," in coordination with Ukraine, member states, and the United States.

A distinctive element of the message conveyed in Johannesburg is the theme of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Von der Leyen stated that tens of thousands of children "remain captives in Russia," separated from their families, and their return must become a global priority. The EU, Canada, and Ukraine will co-host a Summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Children, with the goal of bringing every child back home.

The leaders' statements were made on the sidelines of the international discussions in Johannesburg regarding security architecture and the prospects for a possible peace agreement for Ukraine. The joint position reflects the close coordination between the EU, NATO, and partners in assessing the proposals presented so far, as well as the commitment to avoid solutions that could undermine European security or Ukraine's sovereignty. The declaration was signed by leaders of European institutions and several partner states, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Ireland, Finland, Norway, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

https://2eu.brussels/articol/stiri/ue-respinge-limitarile-propuse-asupra-armatei-ucrainei-si-cere-un-singur-cadru-de-negocieri-pentru-pace