Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar said that only a united Europe can be a strong and equal actor in international relations, dissatisfied that not all leaders of European Union countries will be present at today's meeting in Paris, where security and the war in Ukraine are being discussed.
"I am following the developments related to the peace efforts in Ukraine with great concern. Only a united Europe can be a strong Europe and thus an equal player in international relations. Only a Europe that commands respect around the world as a political, military, economic and ethical player can ensure security (for people) at home. And only such a Europe can be self-confident in international relations," the statement said, as reported by the Slovenian News Agency (STA).
French President Emmanuel Macron has scheduled an informal meeting of European leaders for today in Paris, which will be attended by the heads of government of Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, as well as the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO.
The meeting of European leaders comes days after US President Donald Trump spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and their decision to discuss Ukraine directly at a summit in Saudi Arabia. Trump said yesterday that a meeting with Putin could take place soon.
Pirc Musar added that at the beginning of the Russian invasion, all European countries sided with Ukraine, in order to protect its territorial integrity, but that over time, that unity weakens, making Europe vulnerable.
According to her, the new American administration is also aware of this, otherwise "it would not have so boldly announced that it would establish peace in Ukraine without European countries."
Pirc Musar expressed regret that wrong messages are coming from Europe about peace efforts in Ukraine, speaking primarily about the announced meeting in Paris and the list of European leaders participating in it.
"On a symbolic level, the conveners of the Paris summit are proving to the world that even in Europe, states are not treated equally. This is not in the spirit of the European integration process. This is not the Europe we stand for. This is not the Europe the world would respect. This is not a Europe that would be a respectable partner to a North American ally," the statement added.
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