EU Commission President says Ukraine has a “right to choose its destiny” as Europe seeks to buy time for Ukraine to negotiate a better settlement to the war. Von der Leyen says there cannot be limitations on the Ukrainian army and Europe must be at the table. US is pushing for a quick deal this week
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged in a statement that "Ukraine must have the freedom" to chose its "own destiny", adding that the EU's involvement in helping secure and maintain peace in Ukraine must be acknowledged and integrated into Ukraine's peace plans. "The centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected," von der Leyen said, as she set out other key elements for any sustainable and lasting peace agreement in Ukraine.
This comes as Ukraine peace talks between Washington, Ukraine, and its European allies are under way on Sunday in Geneva, Switzerland.
EU sets out its key conditions
Speaking from Johannesburg Von der Leyen called for an end to the killing in Ukraine in a message to those meeting in parallel in Switzerland, she said, "Any credible and sustainable peace plan should first and foremost stop the killing and end the war, while not sowing the seeds for a future conflict."
According to her, the European Union has already agreed on essential elements needed to achieve lasting peace, these include;
- "First, borders cannot be changed by force."
- "Second, as a sovereign nation there cannot be limitations on Ukraine's armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and thereby also undermining European security."
- "Third, the centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected."
Ukraine should remain free to determine its own future
Von der Leyen reiterated that Ukraine has chosen a European path and must remain free to determine its own future. That path, she said, begins with reconstruction, deeper integration into the EU’s Single Market and defence industrial base, and ultimately full membership of the Union.
The commission President emphasised the importance of the bloc's work and unity with Kyiv, "the Coalition of the Willing and the US" to move towards peace.
Von der Leyen did not go without mentioning "a crucial element that must be part of any agreement" the abducted children of Ukraine which she qualifies as a matter that is "personally important to me". She added " 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 global agenda."
The president announced that the EU, Ukraine and Canada will be hosting a "Summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian children."
The US-drafted 28-point blueprint to end the nearly four-year war has raised alarm in Kyiv and across Europe, with President Zelenskyy warning that Ukraine may be forced to choose between defending its sovereign rights and securing the American support it relies on.
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 much in Moscow’s favour.
On Sunday, European officials as well as the national security advisors of Germany, France and the UK, participated in talks in Geneva.