Europe New EU leaders arrive in Kiev for talks
The EU's new foreign policy leaders have arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kiev for a highly symbolic visit just a few hours after taking office. EU Council President António Costa and chief diplomat Kaja Kallas want to meet President Volodymyr Selensky and assure him of their support in the face of the ongoing Russian war of aggression.
01.12.2024, 08:19
SDA
"We have come to send a clear message: We stand behind Ukraine and will continue our support for Ukraine without reservation," said the former Portuguese head of government Costa at the start of the visit. This includes humanitarian, financial, military and diplomatic aid. In addition to the current situation, one topic of the talks will also be the common European future with the planned integration of Ukraine into the EU.
Shortly before midnight, 63-year-old Costa had officially taken over as President of the European Council, the body of heads of state and government of the EU member states. This position had previously been held for five years by the Belgian Charles Michel. At the same time, the former Estonian head of government Kallas took over from the Spaniard Josep Borrell as EU foreign affairs representative. Both positions were reassigned after the European elections in June.
Situation on the front line is serious
The visit of the two EU leaders comes at a particularly difficult time for Ukraine. Russian forces have recently made significant territorial gains in the east of the country. At the same time, there is uncertainty as to whether the USA will continue its support in its current form under Donald Trump. If this is not the case, European states would have to significantly increase their military aid in order to enable Ukraine to continue its defensive campaign.
On the sidelines of the trip to Kiev, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kallas told the German Press Agency and other international media that it is crucial for Ukraine that Europe shows that it stands by its side. The situation on the battlefield in Ukraine is "very, very serious".
Kallas appeals to the USA
With regard to the scenario that Ukraine could be forced into talks on a ceasefire by a reduction in military aid, Kallas warned urgently of the possible consequences. Russian President Vladimir Putin had not changed his goals. If one were to simply say: "All right, take the territories you have conquered", this would not only strengthen Russia, but also its allies China, North Korea and Iran. "If America is worried about China, it should also be worried about Russia," said Kallas, alluding to the fact that China is seen as the greatest security threat in the USA.
She also reminded the audience that Russia had already failed to comply with ceasefire agreements in the years before 2022. "Of course everyone wants peace and quiet and no flying bombs. But we must support Ukraine so that it has a strong position. The stronger it is on the battlefield, the stronger it is at the negotiating table. I think that is very, very important," said the 47-year-old. The costs of helping Ukraine are significantly lower than those that a Russian victory would entail.
Discussion about possible NATO membership
Kallas named Nato membership as the strongest possible security guarantee for Ukraine after a ceasefire. "If Ukraine decides to draw a border somewhere, the question arises as to how we can secure peace so that Putin does not advance any further and does not take any additional measures," she explained. Nato membership must definitely be discussed. There are no other clear options.
Selenskyj had made it clear in an interview shortly beforehand that Ukraine could agree to a ceasefire with Russia if Nato extended its protection to the parts of the country controlled by Kiev. In the event of a ceasefire, his country needs guarantees "that Putin will not come back", said Selensky in an interview with the British TV channel Sky News.
Selenskyj names conditions
"If we want to end the hot phase of the war, we should take the territory that we have under our control under the protective umbrella," said Zelenskyi, according to the English translation. "We need to do that quickly. And then Ukraine can regain the other territories diplomatically."
Kiev had not yet considered this path because no one in NATO had officially proposed it, Selensky said. In addition, a NATO invitation would still have to go to the whole of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. According to the constitution, his country does not have the right to recognize occupied territories as Russian.
Costa and Kallas were also accompanied on their visit to Kiev by the new EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. She will be responsible for EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and the other candidate countries in the coming years.
