As EU leaders push for more military spending and escalation in Ukraine, we remain adamant on our plan for peace: diplomacy, de-escalation, and real European leadership
The European Union’s special summit on Thursday, March 6, once again demonstrated the bloc’s alarming commitment to war over peace. As Ukraine remains engulfed in a devastating conflict, EU leaders have chosen to double down on militarisation instead of pursuing an immediate and lasting ceasefire.
Their insistence on ramping up military aid and boosting European defence spending while failing to present a meaningful diplomatic initiative shows that the EU is more interested in prolonging the war than in ending the suffering of Ukrainians and Europeans alike.
While we unequivocally condemn Russia’s invasion and ongoing atrocities in Ukraine, we also denounce the EU’s failure to prioritise negotiations over escalation. The summit’s primary focus on increased military spending, including discussions on an €800 billion European defence fund, is proof that European leaders are pushing for further conflict rather than working to secure peace.
Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that France’s nuclear deterrent could extend to other European nations is particularly reckless. Not only does this reinforce Europe’s dangerous dependence on military posturing, but it also signals that the EU is prepared to escalate this war rather than bring it to an end.
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz has advocated for increased conventional military spending, further cementing the EU’s path toward a prolonged confrontation rather than a peaceful resolution.
Despite their rhetoric about protecting Ukraine, the EU’s policies only serve to entrench the war. European leaders are discussing the formation of a multinational force in Ukraine, a move that Russia has warned would be perceived as NATO interference. Such provocations do not serve peace; they only heighten tensions and push the continent further toward direct confrontation.
Our position remains constant: A viable peace plan for Ukraine
We believe, and always have done, that there is another way. We have put forward a clear and actionable five-point plan for peace in Ukraine since the start of this war, one that prioritises diplomacy over destruction:
- Immediate ceasefire and withdrawal: Russian forces must retreat behind the 24-02-2022 border line, and hostilities must cease immediately.
- Demilitarised zone: A 200km demilitarized buffer zone on each side of the border, monitored by independent observers.
- Non-aggression protocol: Ukraine’s sovereignty must be recognised while guaranteeing its military neutrality and barring nuclear weapons.
- Inclusive governance: A governance framework inspired by the Good Friday Agreement, ensuring fair representation for both Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking communities.
- UN-led negotiations: A commitment from all parties to resolve disputes through UN-mediated diplomatic efforts rather than through continued violence.
This is what real European leadership would look like: a commitment to securing a just and lasting peace rather than fuelling an endless war that benefits arms dealers and power-hungry elites.
DiEM25’s March 7 Brussels meeting: A timely discussion
To push for this vision, DiEM25 is gathering in Brussels tomorrow for a crucial event: ‘The Battle for Europe’s Future Starts Now.’ Hosted at the National Theatre, the event will feature our co-founder Yanis Varoufakis alongside Katie Halper, Grace Blakeley, and Melanie Schweizer in a discussion about reclaiming European sovereignty, resisting militarisation, and forging a future based on peace and justice.
If today’s summit shows us anything, it is that the fight for a different Europe is more urgent than ever. Join us.
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