Russia may attack again if peace is not on Ukraine's terms - EU Commission head
Photo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
A peace agreement to end the war must be on Ukraine's terms. Otherwise, Russia's Vladimir Putin will get a chance to attack again, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says.
Von der Leyen made the statement at the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg on “The EU's role in establishing a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine.”
"The way the war ends will shape our continent for generations to come," she said.
The President of the European Commission emphasized that Putin could launch new attacks if Ukraine does not receive a peace deal on its terms.
"A bad deal could encourage Putin to come back for more," von der Leyen said.
She added that Russia negotiates with bombing and intimidation, and hides its promises under the ruins. To help Ukraine negotiate on its terms, the European Commissioner believes that the EU should support Ukraine's defense industry by signing procurement agreements, stopping all Russian gas imports, and continuing to promote Ukraine's accession to the EU.
"In our history, peace and European integration have always gone hand in hand. So let us bring Ukraine inside our union. Let us walk the path of peace together," von der Leyen said.
Peace talks on Ukraine
Ukraine and Russia are not directly negotiating to end the war, with the United States acting as a mediator between them. However, Moscow is trying to delay the process, in particular, by ignoring the proposal for a 30-day truce.
Earlier, both US President Donald Trump and the State Department said that Washington could withdraw from the negotiation process if there is no progress.
US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said that the main obstacle to a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is Vladimir Putin.
