European Union (EU) leaders are pledging to continue providing military support to Ukraine despite ongoing Russian efforts in negotiations to halt Western arms deliveries to Kiev.
Gathering in Brussels on March 20-21, EU leaders are expected to adopt summit conclusions stating that "the European Union upholds the 'peace through strength' approach, which requires Ukraine to be in the strongest possible position, with its own strong military and defense capabilities as a key component."
The text, which Radio Free Europe has seen, also emphasizes that they "remain committed, in coordination with partners and allies, to providing further comprehensive support to Ukraine and its people, as it exercises its right to self-defense against Russian aggression."
The meeting in Brussels comes two days after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which a 30-day pause in attacks on energy infrastructure was agreed.
However, just hours after the call, Ukrainian Railways confirmed that Russian drones had targeted energy infrastructure connected to the railway system in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
EU soldiers on the ground
EU texts usually require unanimous consent from all 27 member states, but diplomats from the bloc, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Hungary, which has long advocated a more conciliatory tone towards the Kremlin, would seek an exemption. A similar move occurred at an EU summit earlier this month.
European Union countries have so far been excluded from the negotiations taking place in Saudi Arabia, but the document emphasizes that "the European Union and its member states will contribute to the peace process and help secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, which is in the interest of both Ukraine and the whole of Europe."
However, there is no mention of a designated EU envoy for the negotiations. There is speculation in Brussels that former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and current Finnish President Alexander Stubb could be considered for the role.
The text also does not contain direct references to the presence of a European military on the ground to monitor a potential peace agreement, an idea that French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly advocated but which Moscow has so far rejected.
Brussels, however, stands by two other positions that the Donald Trump administration appears to be offering as part of negotiations with Moscow: easing sanctions against the Kremlin and accountability for war crimes.
The EU recently extended visa bans and asset freezes on 2.400 companies and individuals, including Putin, that it has imposed over the past three years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began. The EU said it "remains ready to increase pressure on Russia, including additional sanctions and strengthening the enforcement of existing measures."
Around 200 billion euros in Russian assets remain frozen, mostly in Belgium. The funds are to remain blocked "until Russia ceases its aggression against Ukraine and compensates for the damage caused by this war."
Member states also added that they insist on "full accountability for war crimes and other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia's aggression against Ukraine."
This comes after Washington announced its intention to withdraw from the International Center for the Prosecution of Crimes of Aggression against Ukraine, a group established by Western countries in 2022 to collect evidence against those responsible for potential war crimes.
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