EU Ministers Gathering Uniquely, Led by Kallas, for Discussion on Ukraine's Crisis
The European Union (EU) is set to hold a special session on Monday to discuss the latest developments in the Ukraine conflict, ahead of the summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. The online meeting, organised by the EU, will involve the foreign ministers of EU member states.
EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, announced the special session, reiterating that all occupied territories belong to Ukraine. She emphasised the need for Ukraine and Europe to be involved in any negotiations between the USA and Russia. Kallas also highlighted the importance of Ukraine's active role in any peace negotiations and the necessity of maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In response to Russian claims that Ukraine and the EU should not be involved in the peace process, the EU has expressed strong support for Ukraine and rejected these assertions. The EU has reaffirmed the necessity of including Ukraine in any negotiations and emphasised the need to address the security concerns of Ukraine and all of Europe.
Regarding the EU's stance on Russia's involvement in negotiations with the U.S., European leaders have supported a trilateral meeting involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia following the Alaska summit. This trilateral format reflects the EU's position that Ukraine must be part of negotiations and that peace efforts should not exclude Kyiv or ignore Ukraine's interests.
Meanwhile, Russian officials have argued for excluding Ukraine and the EU from peace negotiations, claiming that direct negotiations between the U.S. and Russia would address the "root causes" of the conflict based on Russian pre-war demands. However, these claims have been rejected by the EU and Ukraine's allies.
US President Donald Trump has also stated that "Russia must end its war against Ukraine." Any agreement between the USA and Russia, as stated by Kallas, must include Ukraine and the EU. The EU's position after the special meeting is one of backing Ukraine's sovereignty and inclusion in peace talks, alongside support for coordinated international diplomacy involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.
- Despite Russia's attempts to exclude Ukraine and the EU from peace negotiations regarding the conflict, the EU's employment policy, as reflected in their stance, strongly advocates for Ukraine's involvement in any negotiations, highlighting the importance of maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, the politics surrounding peace negotiations have become a significant focus of general news, with the EU's employment policy playing a crucial role in advocating for Ukraine's inclusion in these discussions.
