Nordic-Baltic support: Ukraine, Europe must join peace talks

The Nordic-Baltic countries stress in a joint statement that peace negotiations cannot proceed without Ukraine and Europe’s participation. The statement aligns with the U.S. introducing a controversial peace plan proposal, which suggests concessions from Ukraine, such as not reclaiming pre-2014 borders and forgoing NATO membership, with no U.S. troops deployment as peacekeepers. The U.S. Defense Minister’s announcement was countered by Nordic-Baltic insistence on European inclusion in discussions, especially since Europe will provide defense after a potential peace. The war, with significant impact on European security, is a top agenda at the upcoming Munich Security Conference, which gathers world leaders, while Ukraine remains firm on not negotiating without clear common ground with Russia.