LONDON 

A group of eight Nordic and Baltic countries on Sunday stressed their firm stance in support of Ukraine's territorial integrity, stressing that a path to peace "cannot be charted without Ukraine’s voice."

In a joint statement, leaders of the Nordic- Baltic Eight (NB8) countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden – reiterated that they "stand firm" in their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Welcoming US President Donald Trump's efforts to help bring the war between Russia and Ukraine to an end, they noted that the Nordic and Baltic countries stand ready to contribute to this work diplomatically, while maintaining their military and financial support to Kyiv.

The joint statement underlined that NB8 countries will continue to uphold and impose restrictive measures on Russia, saying that peace "will only come" through a combination of determined diplomacy, support for Ukraine, and consistent pressure on Russia to end the war.

"We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must safeguard the vital security interests of both Ukraine and Europe," said the statement, mentioning that these interests include robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We reaffirm the principle that international borders must not be changed by force," it added.  

'No decisions on Europe without Europe'

Saying that negotiations can only take place in context of a ceasefire, they cited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's stance that Kyiv is ready for peace talks in full respect of its sovereignty.

"The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future. The path to peace cannot be charted without Ukraine’s voice," it said.

The statement added: "The Nordic–Baltic Eight will remain at Ukraine’s side, united in purpose and resolute in defence of our security."

Four of the NB8 countries directly border Russia – Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland – with the last having the longest border of any NATO country with Russia, stretching out 1,344 kilometers (835 miles).

The statement came after Trump said Friday that "there will be some swapping of territories" to achieve a peace deal, something Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to oppose.

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss the future of the Ukraine war.