European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President, António Costa have hailed “new momentum” in Ukraine peace talks.
Their remarks came after EU leaders met on the sidelines of the EU-African Union summit in Luanda, Angola, to discuss Ukraine peace efforts.
Costa revealed on social media that he had spoken with Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the emergency meeting of EU leaders to discuss the updated plan for Ukraine.
“Spoke with President Zelenskyy ahead of this morning’s informal EU leaders’ meeting on Ukraine peace efforts, to get his assessment of the situation.
“A united and and coordinated EU position is key in ensuring a good outcome of peace negotiations – for Ukraine and for Europe.”
Antonio Costa
Briefing the media alongside European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen after the EU leaders’ meeting, Costa welcomed “the new momentum” in peace negotiations, and said that while “some issues remain to be solved, the direction is positive,” as he commended the efforts of the Ukrainian and US teams involved in the talks.
“It is also clear that the issues that concern directly the European Union, such as sanctions enlargement or immobilised assets, require the full involvement and decision by the European Union.”
Antonio Costa
On her part, von der Leyen talked about “good progress” in the Geneva talks. She noted that while work remains to be done, there is now a solid basis for moving forward. “As we do, we must remain united and keep placing Ukraine’s best interest at the centre of our efforts,” she said.
She pointedly added that “moving forward, Ukraine’s territory and sovereignty must be respected.”
“Only Ukraine, as a sovereign country, can make decisions regarding its armed forces. The choice of their destiny is in their own hands. I also want to emphasise Europe’s centrality in the country’s future.”
Ursula von der Leyen
Europe’s Consent Crucial To Ukraine Peace Plan
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the EU-African Union summit in Luanda, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Europe must consent to any plan to end the war in Ukraine.
“It is important to us that there can be no peace plan for Ukraine if we do not give our consent to issues that affect European interests and European sovereignty.”
Friedrich Merz
He added that President Donald Trump had expressed an openness to a jointly developed peace plan for Ukraine during their call last week.
“We welcome the fact that these talks took place in Geneva. We also welcome the interim result. Some issues were clarified, but we also know: Peace in Ukraine won’t happen overnight.”
Friedrich Merz
Also, Merz insisted that Russia must come to the negotiating table. Noting that discussions are “a lengthy, long-lasting process,” he added, “I don’t expect a breakthrough this week.”
Similarly, Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk said thatthe EU leaders attending an informal meeting in Angola had a “serious” discussion on the Ukraine peace talks, agreeing that the 28 points proposed by US and Russia “need reworking” as some of the proposals as “unacceptable.”
Speaking from Luanda, Tusk added that the peace settlement must not “favour the aggressor,” and said that the leaders are leaning towards moving forward on what to do with the frozen Russian assets. “It cannot be the case that Europe ends up paying for Russia’s actions,” he said.
He acknowledged that some countries remain unconvinced, but he thought the leaders were “much, much closer” to an agreement on this issue to use the frozen assets to “help Ukraine now and during reconstruction.”
Moreover, Tusk stated that the EU was clear that it would not agree to limiting the number of soldiers in the Ukrainian armed forces, adding that the talks remained “delicate” as European leaders are keen to keep the US on side.
READ ALSO: Afina Takeover Makes No Sense, ACEP Boss Warns Government
