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EU Council President: Ukraine should receive binding guarantees

by AI | 07.Jan 2026 | Europe in brief AI

According to EU Council President Costa, Ukraine is to receive legally binding guarantees – as soon as a ceasefire comes into force. The EU wants to participate.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, arrives at the Élysée Palace in Paris. Photo: Aurelien Morissard/AP/dpa

Paris (dpa) – The supporting states of Ukraine agreed at a meeting in Paris on contributions to efforts to end the Russian war of aggression. “We are ready to commit to a system of politically and legally binding guarantees that will come into force as soon as a ceasefire takes effect,” EU Council President António Costa announced after the talks. The EU will contribute to the efforts to ensure those security guarantees that Ukraine needs for any agreement on a lasting peace.

Specifically, Costa mentioned support for Ukraine on its path to EU membership, which is also intended to secure the country’s future prosperity. He also referred to newly planned financial aid amounting to 90 billion euros for the next two years, as well as the already ongoing EU training mission for the Ukrainian armed forces. “Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position – before, during and after any ceasefire,” Costa said.

According to the French government, representatives from more than 30 countries as well as the EU and NATO took part in the high-level meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing. From Germany, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz attended. (6 January)