The European Union will continue providing political, military, and financial support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, regardless of the actions taken by other partners. Moreover, the decision on the presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian territory will rest with Ukraine, not Russia.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, told this to reporters following a hearing at the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs in Brussels on Wednesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
Sikorski said that the geopolitical landscape is shifting rapidly, requiring a strong and coordinated response.
He stated that the EU remains focused on maximizing support for Ukraine, maintaining its existing policies toward Russia and Belarus, and strengthening the security and resilience of the EU and its partners. Sikorski said that Poland’s presidency aims to sustain political, military, and financial assistance to Ukraine, as well as its reconstruction, regardless of what other partners may choose to do. Sikorski said that pressure on Russia and its allies would continue to ensure the aggression ends as soon as possible.
He also added that ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU intends to adopt a significant 16th package of sanctions against the aggressor state.
Commenting on the Kremlin’s objections to the possible presence of NATO troops as part of a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, Sikorski said that the matter is for Ukraine to decide, not Russia. He stressed that Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression is fundamentally about securing its sovereignty, including the right to determine which foreign forces, if any, will be stationed on its territory.
On February 18, representatives of the new U.S. administration held bilateral talks with Russia in Riyadh, discussing, among other topics, an end to the war in Ukraine.
The EU and Ukraine have taken a firm stance that any decisions made by the U.S. and Russia concerning Ukraine or European security, without the involvement of Europe and Ukraine, will ultimately fail, as they would not be implemented.
On February 19, U.S. President Donald Trump made a series of controversial statements regarding Ukraine, claiming that Ukraine should have “made a deal” with Russia three years ago to prevent the war. He also spoke of the “low support” for President Zelensky, echoing Russian disinformation and Kremlin narratives.
Source: Sikorski on NATO peacekeepers: Ukraine, not Russia, will decide which troops are on its territory
