“The official said that an exchange of views between the leaders and Zelenskyi is planned, after which they will discuss what they heard among themselves”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
The Ukrainian leader will tell his colleagues the current situation on the battlefield and share his vision for its further development, an EU official, who is not authorized to comment to the media, told reporters in Brussels.
The official said that an exchange of views between the leaders and Zelenskyi is planned, after which they will discuss what they heard among themselves.
“We are now at a critical point. The EU should provide and insist on military support for Ukraine, ensuring its energy security, full implementation of sanctions (against Russia – ed.). The EU should act to help Ukraine so that it is in the strongest position regardless of what may happen: negotiations or the continuation of the war,” the official said in a conversation with journalists.
The interlocutor emphasized that under any circumstances it is up to Ukraine to decide whether to negotiate with Russia or fight on.
“Ukraine must independently make decisions about its future. And also about when the time will come for such decisions. Therefore, I think the message of the European Council will be clear: no decision regarding Ukraine without it,” the EU official emphasized.
The President of the European Council, Antoniou Costa, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy, Kaya Callas, and the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, arrived in Kyiv. December 1, 2024
The journalist’s interlocutor reminded of the EU’s commitment to help Ukraine in the next year, 2025: it will receive more than 18 billion euros thanks to a loan that will be repaid with profits from the frozen assets of the Russian Federation, and 12 and a half billion – within the framework of the Ukraine program Facility.
An EU official was asked whether the EU would be able to replace aid from Washington if the US was in charge Donald Trump will stop providing it.
The interlocutor noted that since the future American administration has not yet announced what policy it will follow in this direction, it will be “speculation” to think about it at this stage. At the same time, he confirmed that EU leaders will touch on this topic.
“Obviously, what else can be done will also be an important topic for debate between the 27 countries. Do more if it is necessary to support Ukraine independently. I believe and hope that this is one of the questions that will be answered during the summit, or at least they will start looking for it. Because our obligations also mean that we are ready for any circumstances,” the official said.
US President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris at its opening ceremony. Paris, December 7, 2024
The EU representative was also asked whether he was waiting for discussions regarding a potential ceasefire regime and a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. The interlocutor of the journalists emphasized that the president of the European Council is now primarily focused on consolidating the political will among the countries of the European Union and further supporting Ukraine in order to strengthen its positions and make the necessary decisions.
“These are financial obligations to Ukraine, strengthening of the military and security forces as well. A stronger emphasis on sanctions, which could weaken Russia’s ability to continue this war… There will be an important moment when EU leaders hear directly from President Zelensky about what he considers important for the effectiveness of support. I hope this message will be materialized in the decisions approved at this meeting,” the official summed up.
On December 19, a summit of EU leaders will be held in Brussels, at which Volodymyr Zelensky is expected. The meeting will be the first under the chairmanship of the new head of the European Council Antonio Koshty, which invited the President of Ukraine to join, and the last one this year.
According to Western media reports, Zelensky will arrive in Brussels the day before at the invitation of the NATO Secretary General. Mark Rutte gathers the leaders of Ukraine, as well as France, Germany, Poland, the president of the European Council and the head of the European Commission for dinner to discuss the formats for ending the war and the possibility of a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine to monitor the ceasefire regime.