“Firstly, borders cannot be changed by force. Secondly, as a sovereign state, there can be no restrictions on the Ukrainian Armed Forces that would make the country vulnerable to future attacks and thereby undermine European security. Thirdly, the central role of the European Union in ensuring peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected,” von der Leyen emphasized.
According to her, Ukraine “must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny.”
“She has chosen a European destiny. This starts with rebuilding the country, integrating it into our Single Market and our defense industrial base, and finally joining our Union,” the head of the EC said.
Von der Leyen assured that the EU will continue to work together with Ukraine, with member states, the coalition of the willing and the United States to achieve “real progress towards peace.”
“It is important that we move forward as partners, on a common path. And I want to conclude on a point that is personally important to me. A key element that must be part of any agreement. The return of every Ukrainian child abducted by Russia. Of all the horrors unleashed by Russia's war, none has a deeper meaning than this,” the President of the European Commission said.
As von der Leyen said, “tens of thousands of boys and girls remain trapped in Russia.”
“We must put these children at the top of the global agenda,” said the head of the EC.
That is why the EU, together with Ukraine and Canada, will hold a summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, von der Leyen said.
“We will not rest until each of them is reunited with their families, in their homes, where they belong,” concluded the President of the European Commission.
