Costa says Ukraine’s EU membership must move ahead

EU chief Antonio Costa with France’s Macron after Ukraine war talks, 13 August, 2025.
Reuters

Speaking after Monday’s Washington summit, European Council President Antonio Costa has stressed that Ukraine’s EU membership process must move forward, while also calling for Europe’s direct involvement in future peace talks alongside Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S.

Costa urged that this possibility be turned into reality with Europe playing a role in broader negotiations “as soon as possible.”

Costa also emphasized Washington’s readiness to contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine, highlighting that the country’s armed forces remain the foundation of its defence.

"The basis for future guarantees are Ukraine's own armed forces, whose capacity needs to be reinforced," he said, adding that Ukraine's future was not just about the security measures, but the prospects of stability and prosperity that EU membership would bring.

Meanwhile, the EU will keep pressuring Russia to end the war and is preparing another package of sanctions.

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