The Chairman of the European Council Antoniu Costa said that only Ukraine has the right to determine the conditions for the start of peace negotiations, emphasizing that “concessions before the start of negotiations is a big mistake.”
Speaking on the second day of the 61st Munich Security Conference, Kostan noted that since the beginning of the war in February 2022, the European Union has undergone fundamental changes.
“Russia’s attack on Ukraine undermined the foundations of the European Security System,” he said, adding that since then the EU has been providing military and financial support to Kyiv, and also imposed sanctions against Moscow.
He emphasized that the EU accelerated the expansion process, strengthened the defense policy and reduced energy dependence.
confirming the adherence of the European Union to the future membership of Ukraine in the EU, Coshta said: “Our message is clear – we will not give up. We will continue to support Ukraine as an integral part of our peaceful project.”
Speaking of possible peaceful negotiations, the head of the European Council emphasized: “Only Ukraine can decide when conditions for negotiations are formed. Any concessions before their start is a serious mistake. We will continue to stand with the shoulder with Ukraine as an future member of the EU , ensuring security guarantees and participating in the recovery process. “
He also noted that the EU should be a full -fledged participant in negotiations. “Without Ukraine and the EU, one cannot achieve convincing, no successful negotiations, or a stable world,” he stressed.
According to him, the world in Ukraine is inextricably linked with the security of Europe, and the stable world “should go beyond the simplest ceasefire and guarantee that Russia will cease to be a threat to Ukraine, Europe and international security.”
“The defenseless world is an illusion”
Kota also indicated the increase in the EU defense capabilities, noting that since 2021 the military expenses of member countries have grown by 30%.
He promised that the European Council will continue to pay priority to defense issues. “The EU was originally created as a peaceful project, but we know that the defenseless world is an illusion,” Coshta emphasized.