 "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkey, November 19, 2025. File Image/Reuters")
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed their full backing for Ukraine during a joint call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, The Guardian report quoted a spokesperson for the German chancellor as saying.
According to the spokesperson, the three leaders stressed that Ukraine’s armed forces must remain capable of defending the country’s sovereignty and assured Zelenskyy of their “unwavering and full support” as Kyiv pursues a lasting and just peace.
The leaders also welcomed ongoing US efforts to help end the war, highlighting Washington’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and its readiness to offer strong security guarantees.
They agreed to continue coordinating closely on diplomatic and security matters.
In the readout, published in German, the European leaders emphasised that safeguarding “vital European and Ukrainian interests” over the long term remains central to any settlement.
They said that the current line of contact should be treated as the starting point for any territorial discussions.
Crucially, the statement underscored that any peace agreement affecting European states, the EU or Nato must have the approval of European partners or be based on allied consensus — a signal that Kyiv’s Western backers intend to remain deeply involved in shaping the contours of any future deal.
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View AllMeanwhile, after his call with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and other European leaders, Starmer insisted that Ukraine “must determine its future under its sovereignty”.
Following the call, Starmer told broadcasters, via PA news agency, “We all want a just and lasting peace. That’s what the president of America wants. That’s what we all want. And so we need to work from where we are to that end.”
“But the principle that Ukraine must determine its future under its sovereignty is a fundamental principle,” he added.
Zelenskyy responded to the call, thanking the leaders for their “principled support for Ukraine and for all our people.”
He noted that the leaders “appreciate the efforts of the US, President Trump and his team aimed at ending this war” and are working on the US-backed peace plan.
“This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace,” Zelenskyy said, emphasising that the four leaders are committed to ensuring Ukraine’s “principled positions are taken into account.”
He added that the sides “coordinated the next steps and agreed that our teams will work together at the corresponding levels.”
With inputs from agencies