EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the circumstances concerning the Ukraine war as "volatile" and "dangerous" while alleging Russia of lacking "real intention" of participating in conflict resolution discussions.
The statements preceded Moscow representative Dmitry Peskov declared it was "too early" to mention striking a conflict resolution.
Protection Assurances and European Stance
Von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine would require robust defense assurances able to deterring any subsequent attacks, arguing that Russia still adhered to a post-World War Two mentality and saw the European continent as a "zone of dominance".
The presentation focused on the European Parliament in Strasbourg as the US intensified endeavors to mediate a agreement between Kyiv and Russia.
Current Peace Progress
Negotiations recently in Switzerland and then UAE have culminated in Ukraine accepting the "core" of a ceasefire agreement, after adjustments were applied to an preliminary 28-point proposal broadly denounced as heavily slanted supporting Russia.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said the revised proposal constituted "the proper approach" - but serious disagreements with Russia remain and the Russian government has repeatedly minimized suggestions of a compromise.
"Let me be clear from the very outset: The European Union will back Ukraine and assist Ukraine every step of the way," EU chief emphasized.
Immobilized Funds and Regulatory Considerations
Furthermore mentioned the subject of €210 billion equivalent of Russia's frozen assets held in European financial institutions.
Belgian authorities is presently resisting the proposal of redirecting these assets to Ukraine, as it fears breaching international law and being made to bear the expenses if Moscow launch a legal challenge.
Further states too are worried the reimbursement of the immobilized resources could ultimately become the responsibility of European taxpayers – although von der Leyen tried to reassure those concerns, saying she could not imagine such a outcome.
Continental Marginalization from Talks
Previous days of strong discussions have largely left out the EU countries, who recently were surprised by the American-Russian 28-article conflict resolution blueprint, which included suggestions to hand land to Russia still under Ukrainian control and restrict the size of Ukraine's armed forces.
EU officials have subsequently maintained they will require a role in discussions as well, before any definitive settlement over how to conclude hostilities can be accomplished.
"Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. European issues demand European input. NATO decisions require NATO consensus," she informed the legislature.
Forthcoming Negotiation Efforts
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz additionally asserted EU nations was "not a pawn, but a sovereign actor, with its distinct concerns and values."
Nevertheless, as it stands EU countries are not expected to be involved in the next round of talks and Russia has dismissed participation by continental representatives.
"The Europeans involving themselves in all these issues is, as I see it, totally superfluous," Moscow advisor Yuri Ushakov stated.
Conversely, US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Moscow next week, while the United States Army leader Dan Driscoll will go to Ukraine.
The United States has been engaging in "back-and-forth negotiations" between Russia and Ukraine from the beginning of President Trump's renewed administration at the start of the year - but up to now such efforts have failed to yield meaningful outcomes.
Direct Discussions Recommended
Ukrainian President Zelensky declared recently he sought personal discussions with President Trump before the month's end to examine the main disagreements between the Kyiv's and the Moscow's viewpoints, such as sovereignty over Ukraine's eastern regions, inclusion of the defense organization and the size of its military.
Meanwhile, President Trump posted a message on digital platforms saying he would be prepared to encounter both Zelensky and Russian President shortly, but "EXCLUSIVELY when the settlement to resolve this conflict is FINAL or, in its final stages".
