Photo: Ansa
Editorial team
On the one hand, the G20 leaders’ declaration was adopted, as announced by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the opening of the summit, by the “majority” of the ‘orphan’ summit participants in the United States; on the other hand, statements by European and G7 leaders at the end of the coordination meeting held on the sidelines of the South Africa summit and focused on the American peace plan for Kiev. In Johannesburg throughout the day, Ukraine documents ran parallel to the G20 session, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni clarifying Rome’s statement by underlining that “Italy is ready to collaborate with its European and American partners to achieve a just peace” in light of Russia’s “unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine”.
The statement came before an emergency meeting held at the invitation of European Council President Antonio Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and in which the Prime Minister participated along with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the leaders of Norway, Japan, Australia, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain. In the statement issued at the end, it is clear that there is a European effort and a desire not to be cut off by Washington and Moscow in the ongoing negotiations, as well as indications of a series of ‘observations’ of US plans.
Therefore, in the declaration signed by Meloni and other leaders we read that “the continued efforts of the United States to bring peace to Ukraine” are welcomed and that “the initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace”. But, they added, “we believe the design is a foundation that requires further improvement.” “We are ready to commit to ensuring that future peace is sustainable,” the European and G7 leaders continued, saying they “have a clear principle that borders should not be changed by force. We are also concerned about proposed restrictions on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.” Furthermore, it was noted that the American proposal cannot ignore Europe and the Atlantic Alliance: “We reiterate that the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and NATO will require the consent of the respective EU and NATO members”.
In conclusion, “the strength of our continued support for Ukraine” and the fact that “we will continue to coordinate closely with Ukraine and the United States in the coming days” were highlighted. Also due tomorrow in Geneva, Switzerland, the national security advisers of the E3 countries (France, Britain and Germany) will meet with officials from the European Union, the United States and Kiev to discuss Washington’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine. For the US, according to Axios, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will participate. For Italy there will be Meloni’s diplomatic adviser, Fabrizio Saggio, who is leaving the G20 meeting in Johannesburg. Furthermore, as Costa announced, a special meeting on the file with all EU leaders will be held on Monday in Luanda, Angola on the sidelines of the summit between the EU and the African Union.
