VIDEO von der Leyen's message during the Geneva talks: “We have agreed on the main elements for a just and lasting peace”
Ursula von der Leyen. Photo credit: Gints Ivuskans / AFP / Profimedia
Ukraine's borders cannot be changed by force, its army cannot be reduced, leaving it vulnerable to attack, and the European Union must play a central role in the peace agreement for Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday, quoted by Reuters.
Von der Leyen's statement on Sunday comes as senior officials from the United States, Ukraine and national security advisers from France, Britain and Germany are in Geneva to discuss Washington's draft plan to end the war in Ukraine.
“Any credible and sustainable peace plan should first and foremost end the killing and the war without sowing the seeds of future conflict,” she said in a statement.
“We have agreed on the main elements necessary for a just and lasting peace and for the sovereignty of Ukraine. Let me highlight three of them. First of all, borders cannot be changed by force,” she said.
“Secondly, as a sovereign nation, there can be no restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces that would make the country vulnerable to future attacks and thus undermine European security,” von der Leyen said.
“Thirdly, the central role of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected. Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny. They have chosen a European destiny,” said the head of the European Commission.
Von der Leyen also posted a video message on her X account in which she wanted to add something “in addition to the necessary elements for a just and lasting peace and for the sovereignty of Ukraine.”
“Any agreement must include the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. We will not rest until every one of them is reunited with their family, in their home,” she stressed.
In addition to the elements necessary for a just and lasting peace and Ukraine's sovereignty:
any agreement must include the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
We will not rest until every single one of them is reunited with their families, in their homes. pic.twitter.com/LQaGK85LLr
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 23, 2025
