Italy and Hungary have urged the European Union to make a clear call for a ceasefire in Ukraine and peace talks with Russia, while other EU member states appear determined to adopt a tough line with Moscow in view of next week’s European summit.
A draft of the conclusions of the May 30-31 summit, seen by Reuters on May 19, described the EU as “unwavering in its commitment to helping Ukraine exercise its inherent right to a legitimate defense against Russian aggression”.
It does not refer to peace talks.
At a meeting of EU representatives, the Italian ambassador proposed changes to the text, saying that it should refer to peace talks and define a immediate ceasefire as one of the EU’s first targets, according to those who attended the meeting.
This proposal was supported by Hungary and Cypruswhich are among the countries with the strongest objections to a new package of EU sanctions against Russia that has been blocked for weeks due to internal disputes.
Hungary opposes planned oil embargo, while Cyprus is concerned about a proposed ban on property sales to Russian citizens.
Speaking at the Davos forum on Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took an aggressive stance against Russia and made no reference to peace talks.
“Ukraine must win this war, and Putin’s aggression must be a strategic failure,” he said.
The latest draft conclusions of the summit state that the EU “remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s ability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty”.
The Baltic states and Poland are among the strongest supporters of a hard line, while Latvia has called for even clearer wording for increased military support, diplomats said.
A revised draft is expected later today, following a meeting of EU representatives, a diplomat said.
Italy last week proposed a peace plan that would include the United Nations (UN), the EU and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in a facilitative role in resolving initially local ceasefires.
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