”The Ukrainian people must be given the freedom to determine their own future. The path to peace cannot be mapped out without Ukraine's voice being heard. No decisions about Ukraine can be made without Ukraine, and no decisions about Europe can be made without Europe”, the countries' leaders write in a joint statement with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – the so-called NB8 group.
The statement does not explicitly demand that the Ukrainian President Zelenskyj be allowed to participate in the summit between the presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Friday.
Instead, the leaders write that they "welcome President Trump's initiative to help bring an end to the war and lay the foundation for a just and lasting peace that ensures Ukraine's security and Europe's stability”.
The countries promise to continue working in close cooperation with the US, Ukraine and other partners to achieve a peace.
”We are ready to contribute with diplomatic work and at the same time continue our significant military and economic support to Ukraine”, they write.
