European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has characterized the current situation regarding the war in Ukraine as “volatile” and “dangerous.” She accused Russia of lacking a genuine interest in peace negotiations. These remarks were made just before Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that discussing a peace deal at this time would be “premature.” Von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine requires strong security assurances to prevent further attacks, suggesting that Russia continues to view Europe as a “sphere of influence” reflective of post-World War Two attitudes. Her address coincided with intensified U.S. engagement aimed at brokering a deal between Kyiv and Moscow.
Recent discussions in Geneva and Abu Dhabi have led to Ukraine agreeing to the core elements of a revised peace proposal, following the adjustment of an initial 28-point plan that faced criticism for being overly favorable to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed that the refined draft represents a more appropriate approach, although significant disagreements with Russia persist.
In her address to the European Parliament, von der Leyen confirmed Europe’s commitment to standing by Ukraine, also mentioning the €210 billion worth of Russian assets frozen in European financial institutions. However, Belgium has expressed concerns about reallocating these assets to Ukraine, fearing potential legal repercussions if Russia challenges the decision. Other EU nations share apprehensions regarding financial liability for future repayments.
A legal framework concerning the frozen assets is being prepared, with a decision expected from EU leaders in December. Meanwhile, European leaders have demanded a role in ongoing negotiations, particularly after being excluded from prior discussions. A recent meeting of a coalition led by France and the UK aimed to address security guarantees amidst these diplomatic efforts. Von der Leyen reiterated that any future agreements on Ukraine would require European, Ukrainian, and NATO involvement.
Despite these complexities, European stakeholders currently have limited participation in the next phase of discussions, as Russian officials have dismissed the necessity of European involvement. Meanwhile, U.S. officials continue their diplomatic engagements, with plans for high-level meetings in both Moscow and Ukraine.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c208wjpv4r9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss