After mobilising all weekend in order to have a voice in the peace negotiations in Ukraine, on Monday 24 November, European leaders felt that progress had been made in the talks. On Sunday, European representatives were present at the discussions between the Americans and Ukrainians in Switzerland, and on Monday, experts were continuing their work at a technical level.
“There is a new momentum in the peace negotiations. Yesterday’s meeting (on Sunday) in Geneva (...) marked significant progress. The US and Ukraine informed us that the discussions were constructive, and that progress was achieved on several issues”, summed up the President of the European Council, António Costa, at the end of an informal meeting of the 27 European leaders in Luanda (see other news) and after talks with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky. Although a number of issues remain to be resolved, the direction was “positive”, added Mr Costa.
“While work remains to be done, there is now a solid basis for moving forward”, added the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. In her view, an “efficient and coordinated European engagement” and a strong European presence in Geneva have “allowed us to make good progress in the negotiations for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine”.
The President of the Commission reiterated the fundamental European principles for the future: Ukraine’s territory and sovereignty must be respected, the choice of the country’s destiny is its own, and only Ukraine, as a sovereign country, can make decisions regarding its armed forces. On Sunday, Ms von der Leyen explained that Ukraine could not be subject to limitations on its armed forces, “which would make it vulnerable to future attacks and thus compromise European security”. She also reiterated that the EU’s “central” role in ensuring peace in Ukraine must be fully recognised. “We must remain united and continue to place Ukraine’s best interests at the heart of our actions. It’s about the security of our entire continent, now and in the future”, she added.
Mr Costa warned that the EU must be involved in the discussions: “It is also clear that the issues that concern directly the EU, such as sanctions, enlargement or immobilised assets, require the full involvement and decision by the EU”. On Saturday, in a joint statement (https://aeur.eu/f/jmj ), several European leaders reiterated that the implementation of the elements of the plan relating to the European Union and NATO would require the consent of the members of the respective organisations.
The President of the European Council stated that the Europeans were ready to continue supporting the discussion process “by working closely together within the European Union and in close coordination with Ukraine, the United States and NATO”. The Coalition of the Willing will meet virtually this Tuesday to discuss the ongoing negotiations.
“What matters now is that we move forward as partners, united by our shared goal: to stop this war, stop killing people, and stop this war of aggression against Ukraine, and ensure a just and lasting peace for Ukrainian people”, stressed Mr Costa, promising that the EU would continue to provide Ukraine with the necessary support.
On Sunday night, the United States and Ukraine stated that a “future agreement” to end the conflict with Russia “must fully respect the sovereignty of Kyiv”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the media that the points still outstanding were “not insurmountable”. “We simply need more time. I am convinced that we will succeed”, he added. Mr Rubio hoped for an agreement in the next few days. “Whether it’s Thursday, Friday, Wednesday or next Monday, we want it to be soon, because between now and when we resolve this issue, people will die. The destruction will intensify. Our aim is to end this war as quickly as possible, but we need a little more time”, he explained. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)