EU issues statement amid Ukraine-US talks in Florida
Photo: European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho (Getty Images)
The European Union is taking part in consultations and monitoring to ensure that the EU's position and Ukraine's EU-related interests are conveyed to the partners involved in the negotiations, stated the European Commission's chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, according to The Guardian.
At the briefing, Pinho was asked about EU coordination with the United States and about specific steps Brussels is taking to influence the negotiation process following the meeting between the Ukrainian and American delegations in Florida.
"Over the weekend, several conversations took place at various levels on the topic of the peace negotiations regarding Ukraine," the European Commission's spokesperson replied.
She also recalled the phone call between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which the sides discussed the next steps in the negotiations, including elements directly concerning the EU.
"So indeed, talks are ongoing at different levels, and we are making sure that what are also EU interests and Ukraine’s interests linked to the EU are conveyed to our counterparts in these many talks that are taking place," Pinho stressed.
Negotiations in Florida
On November 30, a US-Ukrainian meeting took place in Miami, Florida. This was the second meeting in that format following talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 23.
National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation. According to him, the delegation is working based on clear directives from the President of Ukraine: protecting national interests, substantive dialogue, and advancing the decisions developed during the meetings in Geneva.
Today, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated that this week could be crucial for Ukraine in the diplomatic process. The talks in the United States were difficult but productive.
Meanwhile, France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, emphasized that no peace negotiations on Ukraine can take place without the participation of Europeans.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today hinted at difficult issues in the negotiations with the United States regarding peace in Ukraine.
For more on the results of the negotiations, read the material by RBC-Ukraine.
