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EU leaders to discuss aid to Ukraine, strengthening European defense

The two main topics of the Special European Council summit which will take place on March 6 in Brussels are strengthening Europe's defense and increasing aid to Ukraine in the new context shaped by U.S. administration initiatives. This was stated today by a senior EU official ahead of the summit, according to a Ukrinform correspondent. "It is important to note that this will not be an ordinary European Council summit but a Special European Council held in a new context created by the position of the new U.S. administration on Ukraine. We have seen that the U.S. has already held certain negotiations with Russia that may impact the situation in Ukraine. Clear intentions have been expressed, not only by the U.S. President but also by others, regarding a peaceful resolution, negotiations, or at least a ceasefire in Ukraine, with Ukraine's involvement. This context did not exist before," the official emphasized. According to the EU representative, the two key issues – European defense and support to Ukraine — are closely interconnected, even though they are not necessarily new. EU leaders will continue discussions on both topics, which began during an informal meeting in Brussels a month ago. "It is important to emphasize that in this new context, the EU's position on Ukraine and its future, as well as the ways to end the war in Ukraine, has not changed. The context is different. It is necessary to consider the momentum that could lead to negotiations, a ceasefire, or a peace agreement. We all want peace in Ukraine. The EU also wants this peace to be reliable, just, and lasting. We expect the European Council to define at least some of the principles of this new momentum that should be considered in future negotiations," the EU official noted. He added that the summit’s final document is expected to include strengthened EU positions on further support for Ukraine. The European Council will endorse the approach of "peace through strength," meaning active participation of EU countries in strengthening Ukraine’s position "both immediately and in the long term." The EU is already Ukraine’s largest financial donor, allocating more than €30 billion this year alone, including military aid. "We have heard from most member states about their intention to further increase such support for Ukraine. It is too early to talk about specific figures, but it is clear that most member states have expressed their willingness to provide additional assistance," the source said. Commenting on the "new context" of peaceful settlement in Ukraine proposed by the U.S. administration, the source emphasized that the EU’s position remains unchanged: peace in Ukraine must be just and lasting and must be achieved with full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU representative clarified that this refers specifically to Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. The post EU leaders to discuss aid to Ukraine, strengthening European defense appeared first on Freedom.