In Berlin on Monday, December 15, 2025, 10 European leaders and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen put forward a bold security blueprint for Ukraine, calling for a 'multinational force' led by Europe and supported by the United States.
The statement, issued after a high-level meeting in the German capital, comes as U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators resume peace talks aimed at ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.
At the heart of the proposal is a guarantee that Ukraine can sustain armed forces of around 800,000 soldiers—enough to deter renewed aggression—backed by contributions from willing European nations and the U.S.
Dubbed 'multinational force Ukraine', this coalition would assist in regenerating Ukraine’s military capabilities, securing its skies and supporting safer maritime routes, including operations within Ukrainian waters.
Additional security measures include a U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism designed to provide early warnings of potential attacks and swiftly address any breaches.
'Decisions on territory are for the people of Ukraine, once robust security guarantees are effectively in place,' the European leaders' statement reads.
Separately, U.S. negotiators informed Kyiv on Monday that any peace deal would likely require Ukraine to withdraw forces from parts of the Donetsk region, according to an official briefed on the talks.
As Europe looks to deepen its strategic role on the global stage, this initiative could strengthen Ukraine’s defense, send a clear deterrent message to aggressors and pave the way for broader political solutions.
Next steps involve detailed planning and securing formal commitments from European capitals and Washington before any deployment of the multinational force.
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European leaders propose 'multinational force' for peace in Ukraine
cgtn.com
