PR | A call from Ventotene for a common defence and political union

For a Sovereign and Federal European Res Publica
Declaration launched by UEF and CIME in Ventotene signed by Guy Verhofstadt and endorsed by Josep Borrell

The Trump-Putin Alaska Summit, without Europe or Ukraine, exposes a harsh truth: a fragmented Europe is sidelined in a world of empires. From NATO’s defence dependence to trade submission at Turnberry (August 2025), and from Ukraine’s marginalisation to peace deals brokered in the White House, Europe’s impotence is on full display. 

The threats are clear: an unreliable, “caesarist” America imposes its will, while Russia and China exploit our divisions, undermining democracy and international law.

Trump’s capitulation to Putin on Ukraine demands a European response. Without our own defence, diplomacy, and intelligence, we risk surrendering our sovereignty. The time has come to replace “vetocracy” with a democratic, federal Europe: one strong enough to stand among the world’s powers.

In this context the Union of European Federalists and Consiglio italiano del Movimento Europeo have launched the Declaration "For a Sovereign and Federal European Res Publica" in Ventotene Island on 30th August. The declaration is signed by Domenec Ruiz Devesa, President of the UEF and Former MEP, Virgilio Dastoli, President of the Consiglio Italiano del Movimento Europe, Guy Verhofstadt, Former Prime Minister of Belgium and Former MEP, Mathilde Baudouin, Secretary General of the UEF.

The Declaration is endorsed by Josep Borrell, Former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Antonio Argenziano, Former President of JEF Europe, Luisa Trumellini, President of Movimento Federalista Europeo (MFE), Roberto Castaldi, Secretary General of MFE, Sandro Gozi, Member of European Parliament, Honorary President of the UEF. Witnesses during the signatory of Declaration have been Antonio Santilli, Responsable Culture Sector of Ventotene, Giuseppe Pepe, Vice Mayor of Ventotene e Mario Leone, Direttore Istituto Altiero Spinelli.

The Declaration calls for the revival of the European spirit, the strengthening of the European demos, and the recovery of the vision of a Europe that decides, acts and advances with sovereignty.

To read our strategic proposals and the full Declaration, you can go to this link: LINK HERE. 

Original version of the Declaration: LINK HERE.