EU leaders welcome Iran ceasefire, some skeptical

European Union leaders have welcomed the ceasefire in the Middle East war and called on all parties to strictly respect the provisions of the ceasefire agreement, but some European leaders have expressed doubts that the ceasefire is sustainable.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on the X social network that she "welcomes the ceasefire reached last night by the US and Iran" and assessed that the truce was "important for the urgently needed de-escalation" of the conflict.

Von der Leyen thanked Pakistan for its mediation and added that it is now crucial to continue negotiations on a permanent end to the conflict.

European Council President Antonio Costa called on all parties to abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement. "The EU stands ready to support ongoing efforts, and remains in close contact with all partners in the region," Costa wrote on the X network.

European foreign policy chief Kaia Kalas said the ceasefire was "a step back from the abyss" and that it "opens up an urgently needed opportunity to reduce threats, stop missile attacks, restore shipping and create space for diplomacy." "The Strait of Hormuz must be reopened to navigation," Kalas wrote.

Kalas, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, also warned that "the door to mediation must remain open, as the reasons for the outbreak of the war remain unresolved."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was more reserved, saying that a ceasefire is always good news, especially if it is the path to a long-lasting and just peace.

But the "immediate relief" should not deceive us about the "chaos, destruction, human lives lost," Sanchez wrote. He added that his government would not celebrate those who "set the world on fire and then come running with a bucket" of water, adding that diplomacy, international law and peace were now crucial.

In addition, the socialist government of Sanchez has also called for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

"It is unacceptable that Israel's invasion of a sovereign country continues, the attacks on the Blue Helmets, among whom are Spanish soldiers who are doing a great job, and the indiscriminate bombing of the civilian population of Beirut," said Spanish Foreign Minister Manuel Albares.

He said that final peace was still a long way off, and that everything should be done to reduce "the risk of violence and an unacceptable escalation the likes of which humanity has not experienced since World War II."

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also expressed doubts about lasting peace in the Middle East. He said at the beginning of a government session that this was only a short-term reduction in tensions and that he did not expect a permanent stabilization of the situation in the region.

He said that due to his actions so far, personal experience, and the words of politicians involved in the conflict, he is approaching the ceasefire agreement "extremely cautiously" and that he does not see the prospect of that agreement lasting more than a few weeks.

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kamisz said at the meeting that calming the situation in the Middle East is necessary not only for the sake of the oil and gas market, but also for the sake of Western civilization, which stands for peace, normality, and respect for human life.

Israel's offensive against Lebanon was also condemned by French President Emmanuel Macron, who welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire agreement. Macron said the situation in Lebanon was critical, and that the Islamist militia Hezbollah had made a mistake by attacking Israel, drawing Lebanon into a regional conflict.

He stressed, however, that what is seen today as Israel's response and occupation of southern Lebanon cannot be a lasting response. He said that France is keen for the ceasefire to include a ceasefire in Lebanon.