Bulgaria’s PM on Ukraine talks: It is important to maintain the momentum for achieving peace
Ukraine’s security is an integral part of Europe’s security, so it is important to maintain the momentum for achieving peace in close coordination between the US, the EU, and Ukraine, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyakov told a November 24 informal meeting of EU heads of state and government.
As an EU member state and Nato ally, Bulgaria is ready to participate in finding solutions for peace and security, Zhelyazkov said, according to the Bulgarian government information service.
The statement said that Zhelyazkov “welcomed the consistent efforts of the US and President Donald Trump to cease fire and establish a just and lasting peace, while emphasising the importance of close coordination with the EU and Ukraine, without which achieving this goal is impossible”.
“The Ukrainian people are the ones who must determine their own future,” Zhelyazkov said.
“We must continue to work with our partners in the United States and Ukraine to ensure that any future peace agreement is properly implemented.”
“Don’t believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening,” Trump wrote as he woke up this morning, the BBC reported.
Trump had announced a 28-point “peace plan” which drew condemnation in many quarters including Ukraine, for the sweeping advantages proposed for Russia, and the EU has countered with its own proposals, leading to the US announcing “revisions”. Zelenskyy has said that ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia, as the plan announced by the White House proposes, is the “main problem”.
European Council President António Costa said on November 24: “There is a new momentum in peace negotiations. Yesterday’s meeting in Geneva between the United States, Ukraine, EU institutions and European representatives marked significant progress”.
“The US and Ukraine informed us that the discussions were constructive, and that progress was achieved on several issues. We welcome this step forward. Some issues remain to be resolved, but the direction is positive,” Costa said.
“We commend the efforts of Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump and their teams.”
It is also clear that the issues that concern directly the EU, such as sanctions, enlargement or immobilised assets, require the full involvement and decision by the EU, Costa said.
“We stand ready to continue supporting this process, by working closely together within the European Union and in close coordination with Ukraine, the United States and Nato,” he said.
“What matters now is that we move forward as partners, united by our shared goal: to stop this war, stop killing people, and stop this war of aggression against Ukraine, and ensure a just and lasting peace for Ukrainian people.”
Costa said that the EU is committed to continue providing Zelenskyy with all the support he needs – diplomatic, military, economic.
“This concerns in particular financial support to Ukraine. As you remember, we committed to deliver on it in October. And we will, at the December European Council,” Costa said.
:Peace cannot be a temporary truce, it must be a lasting solution. Ukraine has chosen Europe, and Europe will stand by Ukraine,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking on November 24, said: “An efficient and coordinated European engagement as well as a strong European presence in Geneva has allowed us to make good progress in the negotiations for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine”.
“While work remains to be done, there is now a solid basis for moving forward. As we do, we must remain united and keep placing Ukraine’s best interests at the centre of our efforts,” Von der Leyen said.
“This is about the security of our entire continent, now and in the future. Today’s meeting in Luanda reaffirmed that we are united in our support of Ukraine.”
“These are our core European principles moving forward: Ukraine’s territory and sovereignty must be respected. Only Ukraine, as a sovereign country can make decisions regarding their armed forces, the choice of their destiny is in their own hands,” Von der Leyen said.
“I also want to emphasise Europe’s centrality in the country’s future. We will engage further tomorrow with our partners from the Coalition of the Willing.
“Finally, today I raised again the plight of abducted and missing Ukrainian children. Each and every one of them must come home. I was glad to see this topic resonated with the leaders,” she said.
(Photo of Zhelyazkov: government.bg)
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