EU leaders hold virtual meeting with non-EU European partners on Ukraine, security

Meeting, attended by Iceland, Norway, Türkiye, UK, focuses on Ukraine, European security, defense cooperation

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas held a virtual meeting Friday with leaders from Iceland, Norway, Türkiye and the UK to discuss Ukraine, European security and defense cooperation.

A statement from the EU Council said the meeting was attended by Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

It marked the second iteration of the format, aimed at briefing non-EU European partners on key European Council decisions.

"The European Council has a clear understanding of the exceptional times that Europe is going through," Costa and von der Leyen stated.

They emphasized that while Ukraine has expressed a readiness for a full ceasefire with Russia, peace must not come at the cost of rewarding the aggressor.

"Peace should not reward the aggressor, and pressure on Russia should be stepped up," said the statement.

European leaders welcomed a joint initiative by France and the UK to form a "coalition of the willing" to define military support and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.

Costa and von der Leyen also shared details of the EU's Readiness 2030, a roadmap designed to ensure the bloc has a strong defense industrial base and credible deterrence capabilities.

"Other countries, such as the UK, Canada, or Türkiye, can immediately provide up to 35% of a defense product. To increase industrial participation beyond this threshold, a Security & Defence Partnership and a subsequent association agreement are necessary," they noted.

The leaders agreed to maintain close coordination on strengthening Ukraine and enhancing Europe's security framework.

Further briefings on the European Council’s decisions will be provided to the governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan.

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