In particular, the EU insists that a change of Ukraine’s borders by force cannot be acceptedNor can a limit be imposed on the size of its Army, since this would facilitate new aggression by Vladimir Putin and would once again put the security of the entire continent at risk.
Community leaders have also insisted that all aspects of Trump’s plan that directly affect the EU, such as sanctions against Moscow, the possible entry of Ukraine into the club or Russian state funds frozen on the continent, must be consulted and decided by the Europeans themselves.
Finally, the EU undertakes to continue supporting the Government of Volodímir Zelenski Whatever happens in the peace negotiations, with political, military and economic support. In this sense, the leaders have committed to approving in December a solution that guarantees kyiv’s financing for the next two years.
The emergency meeting was held after intense negotiations this Sunday in Geneva between representatives of Ukraine and the United States, which were also attended by senior officials from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Commission and the European Council.
At the end of the day, the US and Ukraine published a joint statement in which they spoke of “significant progress”, without giving any details. Several documents were circulated on Sunday that were sold as EU “counterproposals” to Trump’s plan, although neither party has acknowledged the veracity of these texts.
The American Secretary of State, Marco Rubioalso present in Geneva, also deactivated Trump’s ultimatum, which had demanded that Zelensky give a response to his plan before next Thursday, when Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the US. Rubio assures that the deadline may be extended.
The emergency meeting of the 27 was held this Monday in Luanda (Angola), on the sidelines of the summit between the European Union and the African Union. A total of 10 leaders have participated in person – among them the Spanish Pedro Sánchez, the German Friedrich Merz, the Polish Donald Tusk and the Italian Giorgia Meloni -, while the rest have connected by videoconference.
The results of the meeting were presented by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the head of the European Council, António Costa, in a brief joint statement in which they did not accept questions. This means that there has been no consensus to approve a declaration at 27, probably due to the opposition of Hungarian Víktor Orbán.
“The United States and Ukraine informed us that the talks (in Geneva) were constructive and that progress was made on several issues. We welcome this development. Some issues remain to be resolved, but the direction is positive“said Costa, who applauded the “efforts” of Zelensky and Trump.
“It is also clear that the issues that directly affect the EUsuch as sanctions, enlargement or frozen assets, require the full participation and decision on the part of the EU,” stressed the President of the European Council.
“We are prepared to continue supporting this processworking closely within the European Union and in close coordination with Ukraine, the United States and NATO,” he added.
“While there is still work to be done, there is now a solid foundation to move forward,” says President Von der Leyen.
“These are our fundamental European principles going forward: the territory and sovereignty of Ukraine 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,” stressed the President of the Commission.
Von der Leyen has also stated “the plight of kidnapped and missing Ukrainian children. Each one of them must return home.”
Regarding support for Ukraine, Costa has highlighted that “the “EU is committed to continuing to provide President Zelensky with all the support he needs: diplomatic, military and economic.”
“This refers in particular to financial support for Ukraine. As you remember, we committed to fulfilling this in October. And we will do so at the European Council in December,” he insisted.
“Peace cannot be a temporary truce, it must be a lasting solution. Ukraine has chosen Europe, and Europe will be at Ukraine’s side,” says the President of the European Council.
Both Costa and the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, have spoken with Zelensky himself before the summit in Luanda. The Finn has been much more pessimistic in his assessment of the situation. “The negotiations have represented progress, but there are still important issues to be resolved,” he said.
The next stage will be completed tomorrow, with a videoconference meeting of the countries of the voluntary coalition that have committed to guaranteeing the security of Ukraine after an eventual truce. Trump’s original plan prohibits the presence of European troops on Ukrainian territory, which would impede these efforts.