European leaders back Trumpآ’s call for peace talks with Russia

BRUSSELS, Oct 21 (KUNA) -- European leaders and Ukraineآ’s President issued a joint statement on Tuesday expressing support for US President Donald Trumpآ’s call to begin peace talks between Ukraine and Russia based on the current line of contact between the two sides.
The statement was signed by Ukraineآ’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, Franceآ’s President Emmanuel Macron, Germanyآ’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italyآ’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
It said, "We strongly support President Trumpآ’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations." The leaders added, "We are all united in our desire for a just and lasting peace, deserved by the people of Ukraine," reaffirming their commitment to the principle that "international borders must not be changed by force." They stated, "Russiaآ’s stalling tactics have shown time and time again that Ukraine is the only party serious about peace, while President Vladimir Putin continues to choose violence and destruction." The leaders stressed, "Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position before, during, and after any ceasefire," calling for ramping up pressure on Russiaآ’s economy and defense industry "until Putin is ready to make peace." They also announced the development of "measures to use the full value of Russiaآ’s immobilized sovereign assets so that Ukraine has the resources it needs." The leaders noted they will meet later this week during the European Council and in the "Coalition of the Willing" format to discuss how to take this work forward and further support Ukraine. (end) arn.nhq