In a joint statement, 25 countries and EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib demanded an immediate end to the war in Gaza, warning that civilian suffering has reached “unprecedented depth.” The statement condemned Israel’s restriction of aid, calling it inhumane and a violation of international law. It urged Israel to lift all barriers on humanitarian access and allow UN operations. The signatories also rejected forced displacement plans and warned that Israel’s renewed E1 settlement plan threatens the two-state solution. They called for a ceasefire and renewed peace efforts backed by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin for a surprise visit, meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz before joining an online conference with European leaders, including France, UK, Italy, Poland, Finland, and EU officials, to discuss Ukraine’s situation. A second call will include US President Donald Trump and Vice President James Vance ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska. European leaders stressed that Ukraine must have a say in any peace process. Berlin deployed heavy security for the visit, closing streets, restricting metro access, and stationing mounted police and snipers around the Chancellery.