The expanded Summit of European People's Party (EPP) leaders, dedicated to coordinating the positions of EU member states ahead of the European Council meeting on March 19, adopted a statement recognizing Ukraine's defense as vital for Europe's security and expressing support for Ukraine's European integration aspirations.

The event was attended by People's Deputy of Ukraine and leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko, and Mayor of Kyiv and leader of the UDAR party Vitali Klitschko. Both political forces are associate members of the EPP in Ukraine.

"We recognize the defense of Ukraine as vital for the freedom and security of Europe and reaffirm our unwavering support for Kyiv. Ukraine's internal resilience requires political unity, pluralism, and institutional balance, as protecting the rule of law in war conditions remains important. In this regard, we emphasize the need to protect media freedom and independent anti-corruption bodies in the country. We reaffirm our steadfast support for Ukraine's merit-based path to membership," the statement reads.

The European Solidarity website notes that the statement incorporated proposals from Poroshenko, who called for strengthening Ukrainian resilience through internal unity, bolstering the AFU with partner support, approving the 20th EU sanctions package, and allocating 90 billion euros for Ukraine's military needs.

"All these proposals were taken into account by colleagues, including in the final statement of the EPP summit. Separately, my proposal to ensure the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies was approved. The proposal to form a national unity coalition to overcome the parliamentary crisis was supported... Full support was expressed for the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen in unconditionally ensuring the Kachka-Kos plan regarding the rule of law, opposition rights, media rights, and judicial independence, focusing on the content of reforms rather than dates," he noted.

In his speech, Poroshenko emphasized that the only way to deter global upheaval is to stop Russia's war against Ukraine, as this war is the primary cause of instability. "Many are now looking at the Middle East, at Iran. But it all started with Ukraine and Russia's war. The best way to stop global upheaval is to eliminate its root causes," he said.

At the summit in Brussels, Klitschko called on politicians from over 40 countries to continue purchasing weapons for Ukraine and not to weaken sanctions against Russia.

"I am speaking with European politicians about further support and increased aid to Ukraine. Today is a critical moment. Despite the acute situation in the Middle East, Europeans must not forget that the fate of Europe's security is decided on the front lines of the war in Ukraine. Therefore, it is very important not to weaken sanctions against Russia and to continue the purchase of weapons using European financing," he wrote on Telegram.

The EPP leaders' summit, held before the European Council meeting, was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, heads of state and government from 11 EU countries—including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković—EPP President Manfred Weber, and opposition leaders from several European countries.