European Commission President warns against dividing Ukraine: It would open door to new wars
Photo: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (Getty Images)
Ukraine cannot be divided into parts. If the West recognizes the undermining of a sovereign state's borders, it could lead to new wars, states European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to The Guardian.
Von der Leyen pointed out that Russia "shows no signs of a true willingness to end the conflict" and continues to act within a mentality shaped since the 1945 Yalta Conference, which regulated the postwar order and was often criticized.
"So we need to be clear that there cannot be unilateral carving up of a sovereign European nation, and that borders cannot be changed by force. If today we legitimise and formalise the undermining of borders, we open the doors for more wars tomorrow, and we cannot let this happen," she said.
The EC President clarified that efforts by US President Donald Trump to seek peace could serve as a starting point. At the same time, Europe has serious concerns about the details of Washington’s original 28-point peace plan.
According to von der Leyen, there is now an opportunity for real progress. But it is important to maintain pressure on Russia, as it is not showing a desire to end the war.
US peace plan
The US prepared a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine and Russia. Its content was highly controversial — Ukraine was required to give up the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
According to the plan, Ukraine would also have to enshrine a neutral status in its Constitution and abandon any intentions of joining NATO.
The plan was revised during a meeting between the Ukrainian and US delegations in Geneva. It is expected that the most sensitive issues will be discussed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with US President Donald Trump.
