“Sensitive points” are accommodatedZelensky praised progress in Geneva negotiations
There has been major criticism of the US plan to end the Ukraine war. However, Ukrainian President Zelensky and EU Commission President von der Leyen remained optimistic after the round of talks in Geneva.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine talks in Geneva have made progress. “In the measures we agreed with the US side, we managed to introduce very sensitive points,” Zelensky said at a virtual conference in Sweden. This included “the full release of all Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians under an ‘all for all’ regime and the full return of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia.” He added: “These are important steps, but for true peace we need much more.”
In a joint statement on Sunday, participants from Ukraine and the United States spoke of “significant progress in unifying positions and identifying clear next steps.” A “renewed and refined peace framework” has been agreed between representatives of Ukraine, the United States and European countries, which will continue to be worked on “in the coming days”.
Europe wants to revise the plan
Delegations from America, Ukraine and several European countries, including Germany, have held negotiations in Geneva regarding a 28-point plan presented by America to end the war in Ukraine. The plan in its original version largely accommodated Moscow’s main demands. Ukraine and its allies then demanded a revision of the US plan.
The country is at a “critical point,” Zelensky said. He assured that he would seek “compromises that strengthen us, not weaken us.” In Zelensky’s words, Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking “legal recognition for what he stole.”
Von der Leyen sees a strong foundation
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the results of the Geneva talks were a strong basis for further progress. Efficient and coordinated European engagement and a strong European presence in Geneva have made good progress possible, he said after talks with European heads of state and government on the sidelines of the EU-Africa summit in Angola. We must remain united and continue to focus on Ukraine’s well-being.
“This is about the security of our entire continent, now and in the future,” stressed von der Leyen. The main point of these negotiations is that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must be respected. Only Ukraine can make decisions regarding its armed forces.
Von der Leyen announced that there would be talks on Tuesday within a group called the Coalition of the Will. In addition to EU countries such as Germany and France, Ukraine’s support group also includes non-EU countries such as the United Kingdom and Norway.
Merz: “a painstaking process”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not expect a breakthrough in peace talks in Ukraine this week. “This is a painstaking process. At best, the steps to be taken this week will only be smaller,” said a CDU politician in Angola.
“Peace in Ukraine did not happen overnight,” Merz said and added: “The next step to be taken is: Russia must join the negotiations. And if this is possible, then all efforts are worth it.” But the decisive move must now come from Russia. “As long as this movement is not recognized, there is no process. And if there is no process, there is no peace.”
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Moscow has not been informed of the outcome of the Geneva talks. He knew that “changes” had been made to America’s proposed plan. Moscow welcomed the original version of the plan. “We will wait,” said Peskov.
