As US officials met with their Russian counterparts in Riyadh today to discuss Ukraine, the Socialists and Democrats stress that a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved if Ukraine and the EU participate in the peace negotiations.

The security of both Ukrainians and EU citizens must be guaranteed through a position of strength. This means ensuring adequate military, financial and humanitarian support for Ukraine, reinforcing EU defence capabilities and industrial production, and maintaining maximum economic pressure on Russia and its allies.

S&D Group leader, Iratxe García, said:

“Ukraine and the EU must sit at the negotiation table when the future of Ukraine and of the European security architecture is decided. Peace and security for Ukraine is a matter of security for the entire European continent. Therefore, it is unacceptable that Ukraine, the EU and its member states were excluded from today’s talks between the US and Russia.

“Ukraine is a candidate country for EU accession. We have consistently supported it – politically, financially, militarily, and through humanitarian aid – and will continue to do so. The people of Ukraine are our European neighbours, and the future of Ukraine is in the European Union. Ukraine and Europe want peace, but any peace agreement has to be comprehensive, just and lasting. To achieve that, it is crucial that Europe stands united, doubles down on its support for Ukraine, maintains maximum pressure on Russia, and strengthens its own defence.

“Russia cannot be allowed to reap rewards from its brutal and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. This war is a serious violation of the UN Charter. There must be international accountability for Russia's crime of aggression and the countless war crimes such as relentless strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure and forced deportations of Ukrainian children.”