European leaders comment on talks about "peace plan"
European leaders have given a positive assessment of the outcome of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with his US counterpart Donald Trump and their subsequent phone call with European leaders.
Source: Interfax-Ukraine, citing statements from European leaders on social media
Details: Leaders emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace and to maintain pressure on Russia.
Zelenskyy and Trump held a video conference with European leaders after a closed-door session between the Ukrainian and US delegations at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach in Florida.
The participants were confirmed by Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who said the call included French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "The call lasted over an hour. We discussed concrete steps how to end the war. We are all working towards a just and lasting peace," Stubb wrote on X (Twitter).
During the video conference, Nawrocki highlighted the firm commitment of the US to the peace process and noted that Rzeszów-Jasionka airport has served as a hub for over 90% of aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression.
"Poland's position in signing a peace agreement will be crucial. Today's conversation demonstrates that all agreements on peace and security in the region must be reached between all stakeholders. The determination of the US and the unity of the European position provide a real chance to end the war started by the Russian Federation," the statement said.
Von der Leyen reported positive outcomes from the discussion, noting significant progress.
The Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheál Martin also welcomed the progress achieved. "I welcome the progress in Ukraine peace talks that Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy spoke of this evening in Florida. I firmly hope that this will be built on in the time ahead to enable a ceasefire to take place," he wrote.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof emphasised that positive signals from the US must be met with action from Russia. "Now Russia must show that they really want to end this war and that they are serious about negotiating a just and lasting peace. The Netherlands continues to support Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression," he said following the Mar-a-Lago meeting.
Foreign ministers of European countries also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke van der Linde outlined the next steps in the peace talks in Miami and stressed the need to increase pressure on Russia.
"The Netherlands continues to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and for a lasting peace. We must continue to increase the pressure on Russia to end its war," he said.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called the outcome of the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting optimistic. "Ukraine wants peace. Russia has been waging a war of aggression for over 1,400 days. We must force Putin towards peace through economic sanctions and the strength of Ukraine's defence," he said.
Background:
- On 23 December, Zelenskyy told journalists that Ukraine would submit a 20-point peace agreement either for ratification by parliament or to a nationwide referendum, and may also decide to hold elections in the country at the same time as the referendum. He believes that holding a referendum would require at least 60 days and a full ceasefire for that period.
- On 28 December, Zelenskyy and Trump met in Florida. Afterwards, the two presidents held a video conference with European leaders.
- Trump said on Sunday that he had a "good and very productive" conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin ahead of his meeting with Zelenskyy.
- Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov claimed that during this conversation, Putin and Trump had agreed that a temporary ceasefire "under the pretext of a referendum" would only drag out the conflict.
- Trump said that Putin had not agreed to a ceasefire during a possible referendum in Ukraine on the proposed "peace plan".
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