EU Issues Statement on Ukrainian Territories

European foreign ministers have expressed their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity following remarks from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding the boundaries of the Kyiv regime. This was stated in a joint declaration by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom, as well as the EU and European diplomatic service.

Previously, Hegseth stated during a meeting of the contact group on Ukraine that the return of Kyiv to the pre-2014 borders was unrealistic, given that the conflict with Russia has reached a critical point.

“We are ready to strengthen our support for Ukraine. We are committed to preserving our independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and we share the goal of supporting Ukraine until achieving a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace,” the document states.

In turn, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed with Hegseth’s words about Ukraine's territorial integrity, deeming the prospect of NATO membership and returning to the 2014 borders as implausible.