MUNICH (CHATNEWSTV) — European Council President António Costa on Saturday delivered a stark message at the 2025 Munich Security Conference, warning that a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace” in Europe is impossible without Ukraine and the European Union at the negotiating table.
“There will be no credible and successful negotiations, no lasting peace, without Ukraine and without the European Union,” Costa said.
Recalling the night of February 24, 2022—when EU leaders convened in Brussels as Russian forces advanced toward Kyiv—Costa described it as the moment when a “new geopolitical European Union was born.” He emphasized the EU’s immediate response, from humanitarian aid and sanctions to military support and a commitment to Ukraine’s EU membership.
“Three years later, Ukraine resists heroically. Putin failed in his attempt to dominate Ukraine, and as we all saw, President Zelenskyy is stronger than ever,” Costa told the audience, reaffirming continued support for Kyiv.
Costa rejected any notion of preemptive concessions to Russia. “Only Ukraine can define when there are conditions for a negotiation. Assuming concessions before any negotiation is a huge mistake,” he said.
The European leader stressed that the Russian threat extends beyond Ukraine, pointing to Moscow’s influence over Belarus, military presence in Moldova and Georgia, and pressure on the Baltic States. He warned that any peace settlement must ensure “Russia will no longer be a threat to Ukraine, to Europe, to its neighbors, and to international security.”
Highlighting how the war reshaped the EU, Costa pointed to accelerated enlargement talks with Ukraine and Moldova, Europe’s energy decoupling from Russia, and a strengthened commitment to defense. He noted that EU defense spending has risen by 30% since 2021, with NATO-aligned EU countries now meeting the 2% GDP defense spending target.
“The European Union is a peace project by design. But we know that peace without defense is an illusion,” Costa declared.
Asserting that EU defense cooperation will remain a priority, Costa said he had gathered European leaders to push for joint military capabilities, increased funding, and closer collaboration with NATO and the UK. “This is our commitment,” he concluded.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
