European leaders: Russia cannot exercise veto power over Ukraine's accession to the European Union or NATO According to a report by Golden Finance, European leaders have issued a joint statement stating that Russia should not restrict Ukraine's armed forces or its cooperation with third countries, and that Russia cannot exercise veto power over Ukraine's path to joining the European Union and NATO. International borders cannot be changed by force, and we will continue to support Ukraine. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and broader economic measures to put pressure on Russia's economy until a just and lasting peace is achieved.