İçerik Haritası
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted on Sunday that Ukraine must retain the freedom to choose its own future and that the EU’s involvement in securing peace must be central to any agreement.
“The centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected,” von der Leyen said, as she outlined key conditions for a sustainable peace agreement.
Her statement came as Ukraine peace talks between the US, Ukraine and European allies were under way in Geneva.
EU sets conditions for peace
Speaking from Johannesburg, von der Leyen called for an end to the killing in Ukraine and said any credible peace plan must “first and foremost stop the killing and end the war, while not sowing the seeds for a future conflict.”
The European Union has agreed on essential elements needed for lasting peace, she said, emphasising borders cannot be changed by force.
As a sovereign nation, Ukraine cannot accept limitations on its armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and undermine European security.
The EU’s central role in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected.
Von der Leyen reiterated that Ukraine has chosen a European path and must remain free to determine its own future. That path begins with reconstruction, deeper integration into the EU’s single market and defence industrial base, and ultimately full membership, she said.
The Commission president emphasised the importance of the bloc’s work and unity with Kyiv, “the Coalition of the Willing and the US” in moving towards peace.
Abducted children ‘must be top of küresel agenda’
Von der Leyen highlighted the abducted Ukrainian children as “a crucial element that must be part of any agreement” and a matter “personally important to me.”
“Tens of thousands of boys and girls remain trapped in Russia. Frightened and longing for their loved ones. We must place these children at the top of the küresel agenda,” she said.
The president announced that the EU, Ukraine and Canada will host a summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
The 28-point blueprint to end the nearly four-year war has raised alarm in Kyiv and across Europe, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warning that Ukraine may be forced to choose between defending its sovereign rights and securing Washington’s support.
On Saturday, Ukraine’s Western allies rallied in a show of support as they worked to revise the US peace plan they believe leans too heavily in Moscow’s favour.
On Sunday, European officials and national security advisers from Germany, France and the UK participated in talks in Geneva.
Quoted from Euronews.
