Greenland, Trump's "Board of Peace" and peace plan for Ukraine to be discussed at European Council meeting
Leaders will discuss transatlantic relations, arrangements with US President Donald Trump on resolving the situation around Greenland, his invitation for the EU to join the "Board of Peace", as well as a peace settlement plan for Ukraine at an extraordinary meeting of the European Council on the evening of 22 January.
Source: a senior EU official familiar with the summit agenda, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The summit will begin at 20:00 Kyiv time and will take the form of a working dinner.
"The president of the European Council has convened EU leaders for dinner this evening to discuss transatlantic relations. This topic remains relevant despite the positive news last night," the source told European Pravda.
The official stressed that Greenland and trade threats from the United States would still be at the centre of discussions, but "in a more positive context than 24 hours ago".
After the tariff threat was removed from the agenda, "issues related to Greenland remain that need to be resolved," the EU official said.
Quote: "President Costa spoke yesterday with the NATO secretary general, who provided him with information on what had been agreed with President Trump. As we understand it, the conversation with President Trump resulted in agreement on an approach along two tracks."
Details: The first track concerns relations between the United States, Denmark and Greenland within the framework of the existing defence agreement between Denmark and the US.
The second track involves strengthening and activating NATO's role in ensuring security in the Arctic.
"This still requires further work. For us, the key point is that President Trump stated during the conversation that any military threat to Greenland is not being considered," the source said.
Leaders will also pay close attention to the invitation extended by the US to European countries to join the "Board of Peace" being established by Trump, and they may take a decision on a joint response.
"Among the other issues to be discussed is Ukraine in the context of the peace plan," the EU official said.
The source emphasised that it was important for European Council President António Costa to "bring leaders together now to discuss the situation and form a shared understanding of the new – unstable – reality that has emerged".
Background:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in Davos that trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia are to take place in the United Arab Emirates on 23-24 January.
- Trump described his meeting with Zelenskyy in Davos on Thursday as "very good".
- Trump also noted that during the meeting, he and Zelenskyy did not discuss whether Ukraine will join the "Board of Peace" he is establishing. So far, none of the US's usual Western European allies has joined.
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