EU's coordinated engagement in Geneva has enabled significant progress in peace talks for Ukraine - Von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen has said that the the coordinated participation of the European Union in the peace talks for Ukraine, which took place in Geneva on Sunday with the participation of the United States, Ukraine and the EU, has made significant progress.
She made the remarks following an informal meeting of European Union leaders held in a hybrid format on Monday morning in Luanda, Angola, where the EU-African Union summit later began.
"An efficient and coordinated European engagement, as well as a strong European presence in Geneva has allowed us to make good progress in the negotiations for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. While work remains to be done, there is now a solid basis for moving forward," said von der Leyen.
The President of the European Commission stressed that Ukraine's territory and sovereignty must be respected. "Only Ukraine, as a sovereign country, can decide on its armed forces. The choice of their fate is in their hands. I also want to stress the central role of Europe in the future of the country. Tomorrow we will continue our cooperation with our partners in the Coalition of the Willing," she added.
Von der Leyen also said that today she had again raised the issue of the plight of kidnapped and missing Ukrainian children. "Each of them must return home. I was glad that this topic found a response from the leaders," von der Leyen said.
