Quotes
We've seen the calls from President Trump overnight and we all want to see a durable peace and no return to conflict and aggression – and let's not forget, Russia remains a threat well beyond Ukraine
They are going above Zelensky’s head - the bastards are going to do this.”
Meanwhile, insiders at the Ministry of Defence are said to be furious, with a source at the department telling the BBC There will be no just and lasting peace in Ukraine without the participation of Europeans,
French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said at the meeting of ministers from France, Britain, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, Ukraine and the European Commission on Wednesday We want peace for Ukraine but we want an unjust war to end with a just peace.”
Europe cannot field a force like this right now,
one senior European diplomat told the Guardian Chasing this illusory goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering,
Security guarantees without America are not real,
I don’t have any European nations who are involved currently to read out for you.”
When asked if any European countries would be involved in peace talks, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said If Ukraine is not in Nato, it means that Ukraine will build Nato on its territory,
Zelenskyy said in an interview with the Economist published on Wednesday It’s the Ukrainians that are doing the fighting. It’s for them to decide when to start talking and on what terms.”
John Healey, the British defence secretary, told Sky News Ukraine should be provided with strong security guarantees. A just and lasting peace in Ukraine is a necessary condition for a strong transatlantic security,
Our shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength. Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations,
seven European countries and the European Commission said in a joint statement after a foreign ministers meeting in Paris It is crucial that whatever comes out of those talks, it is durable, it is enduring,
Mr Rutte told reporters in Brussels ahead of talks with the alliance’s defence ministers We can’t have talks without involving Ukraine. Peace in Europe is at stake, that’s why we Europeans need to be brought in,
There is no betrayal; there is a recognition that the whole world and the US is invested in peace, in a negotiated peace,
There is no better guarantee for the security of our continent than close transatlantic cooperation,
Europe plays the active role in ensuring a just and comprehensive and long lasting peace for Ukraine. Ukraine security and European security are indivisible".
Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, said The conversation went very well. He, like President Putin, wants to make PEACE.”
Noting his call with the Ukrainian leader, the U.S. president said Ukrainian agency in any peace talks is crucially important.”
Also speaking to POLITICO, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said Peace can only be achieved together. And that means: with Ukraine and with the Europeans,
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told POLITICO following Trump’s announcement of a dialogue with the Russian leader on Wednesday
