Leaders of 26 of the 27 EU states at a summit in Brussels agreed on a declaration in support of Ukraine. The only head of state who did not vote for the decision was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
This means that the declaration will not be included in the official conclusions of the EU summit, but will be included in the annexes to these conclusions, “strongly supported by the 26 member states.”
The declaration includes support for the potential deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mechanism, under which the European Union participates in peacekeeping operations.
“In light of the negotiations for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, the European Union and the Member States stand ready to further promote security guarantees, based on their respective competences and capabilities, in accordance with international law, in particular by exploring the possible use of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) instruments,” the document states.
26 of the 27 members of the European Council reaffirmed their continued and unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.
In view of the “new momentum for negotiations” that should lead to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, 26 of the 27 members of the European Union stressed the importance of a ceasefire “only as part of a process leading to a comprehensive peace agreement, and any such agreement must be accompanied by credible security guarantees for Ukraine that will help deter future Russian aggression, peace must be based on respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The document also stresses that there can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine and without Europe.
Radio Free Europe
