Ukraine's borders cannot be changed by force, its army cannot be reduced, making it vulnerable to attack, and the European Union must play a central role in a peace agreement for Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Von der Leyen's statement today comes as senior officials from the United States, Ukraine and national security advisers from France, Britain and Germany hold talks in Geneva to discuss Washington's draft plan to end the war in Ukraine.
„Any credible and sustainable peace plan must first and foremost stop the killing and end the war, "without sowing the seeds of future conflict," von der Leyen said in a statement.
“We have agreed on the essential elements necessary for a just and lasting peace and sovereignty for Ukraine. Let me highlight three of them. Firstly, borders cannot be changed by force," she said. “Secondly, as a sovereign nation, there cannot be restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attacks and thus undermine European security," the statement said. “Thirdly, the central role of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected. Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny. They have chosen a European destiny," von der Leyen said.