Weimar+ foreign ministers pledge increased aid to Ukraine, tougher sanctions on Russia

Reuters reported the information.

In a joint declaration, senior diplomats representing Spain, Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and Poland, along with European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas, called on Russia to agree to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire on equal terms and with full implementation.”

They stated they are ready to exert further pressure on Moscow, including through the adoption of new sanctions, to ensure that Kyiv is in “the best possible position to secure a just and lasting peace.”

The countries also announced they will increase military, political, and humanitarian funding for Ukraine’s war efforts.

They agreed that any peace agreement must be backed by reliable security guarantees for Ukraine. The countries declared they would not accept any deal that restricts Ukraine’s defense industry or the military presence of partner countries on Ukrainian territory.

The foreign ministers of the Weimar+ countries said they are committed to ensuring full accountability for war crimes by working on the establishment of a special tribunal under the Council of Europe.

The statement also says that confiscated Russian assets must remain frozen until Moscow ends the war and compensates Ukraine for the damage caused. Spain insists that allies should use such assets as an alternative form of funding aid to Ukraine or even increase their own defense spending.

Before the meeting, Kallas urged Russia to demonstrate goodwill toward a ceasefire through gestures such as returning Ukrainian children deported to Russia or releasing prisoners of war. She also called on the U.S. to pressure the Kremlin to end the war. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that Russia must give a clear response to the U.S. about whether it even wants a peace agreement.

• On Monday, March 31, speakers and deputy speakers of the parliaments of 17 European countries and representatives of the European Parliament arrived in the Ukrainian capital. A summit was held in Bucha with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.