The European Union (EU) called on Russia to agree a ceasefire that would lead to lasting peace with Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky set up a negotiating delegation.
AFP news agency quoted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as saying after an online meeting on March 15 with other leaders that Russia should support a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine that could lead to lasting peace.
"We reaffirm our support for Ukraine's agreement to a ceasefire. Now Russia must demonstrate its willingness to support a ceasefire that leads to a just and lasting peace," she wrote on social media X.
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She also thanked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for holding a video conference with about 25 other leaders, as they sought to maintain pressure on Russia and protect any possible ceasefire in Ukraine.
“Meanwhile, we will support the strengthening of Ukraine and its armed forces… finally, we will step up European defense efforts, boost defense spending,” she said.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
After the online meeting, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Russia to work towards peace in Ukraine after three years of war.
“Russia must now end its daily attacks on Ukraine’s cities and civilian infrastructure and finally take the path to a just and lasting peace,” he called.
Earlier, speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Starmer said that "the ball is in Russia's court" and President Vladimir Putin would sooner or later have to come to the negotiating table.
He called on countries to focus on finding ways to strengthen Ukraine, protect any ceasefire that might be achieved and maintain pressure on Russia.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on March 13 that Russia is ready to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire as proposed by the US, which Ukraine has agreed to. However, Mr. Putin has many questions and conditions for Washington's plan and needs to talk directly with President Trump to clarify.
In a development related to peace talks efforts, AFP on March 15 quoted a decree by President Zelensky saying he had appointed an official delegation to represent Ukraine in any peace talks aimed at ending the war.
Accordingly, the delegation was headed by Chief of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, with members including Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Deputy Chief of Office Pavlo Palista.
At a press conference on March 15 in Kyiv, Mr. Zelensky said that Russia wanted to have a stronger military position before committing to a ceasefire with Ukraine, so it sought to improve the fighting situation.
Zelensky also denied reports that Ukrainian troops were surrounded in Russia's Kursk region, although he acknowledged that the situation there was "clearly very difficult." He accused Russia of massing troops near the border "with the intention of attacking Sumy province."
The Russian Defense Ministry said on March 15 that its forces had regained control of two more villages, Rubanshchina and Zaoleshenka, in the Kursk region. The same day, the Ukrainian military posted a map on social media showing its soldiers retreating westward toward the border.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/eu-hoi-thuc-nga-ung-ho-lenh-ngung-ban-ong-zelensky-lap-phai-doan-dam-phan-185250315220837489.htm
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