THE Italy, Hungary urge European Union to call for ceasefire in Ukraine, peace talks with Russiaat a time when other EU member states appear determined to take a hard line with Moscow ahead of next week ‘s European summit.
Draft conclusions for the May 30 and 31 summit, seen by Reuters and dated May 19, describe the EU as “unwavering commitment to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right to legal 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 set an immediate ceasefire as one of the EU’s first targets, according to people who attended the meeting.
The proposal was backed by Hungary and Cyprus, which are among the countries with the strongest objections to a new EU sanctions package against Russia that has been blocked for weeks by internal strife.
Hungary opposes planned oil embargo, while Cyprus is concerned about a proposed ban on property sales to Russian citizens.
In a speech at the Davos forum yesterday, Tuesday, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen adopted a aggressive stance against Russia and made no reference to peace talks.
«“Ukraine must win this war, and the aggression of (Russian President Vladimir Putin) Putin must be a strategic failure.”
The latest draft summit conclusions 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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