“It would lead to a frozen conflict”

A ceasefire in Ukraine that does not include the complete withdrawal of Russian troops cannot be the basis for a lasting peace, but would instead translate into a frozen conflict in the heart of Europe. This is the warning issued this Wednesday by the president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyenwhich also calls on member states and allied countries to offer Kiev security guarantees to prevent further Russian attacks in the future.

“There is much talk of peace plans and ceasefires. But above all, one principle must prevail: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Like Ukraine, we want a just peace, which does not reward the aggressor but upholds the principles of the United Nations Charter and the right of the Ukrainian people to be the master of their own destiny,” Von der Leyen defended in a speech. in Bratislava.

“A ceasefire resulting in a frozen conflict would not bring lasting peace. After all, there was a ceasefire after 2014 and we already know what happened to that agreement last February when Russia launched the invasion. A ceasefire would be inherently unstable and would destabilize the region. along the line of contact. No one would invest or rebuild and the conflict could break out again at any time,” says the president of the Commission.

[La OTAN completa la entrada acelerada de Finlandia pero enfría las perspectivas de Ucrania]

“No, a just peace must result in the withdrawal of Russian forces and their equipment from the territory of Ukraine“, insisted Von der Leyen, who has reiterated the EU’s support for the peace plan of the Ukrainian president, Volodímir Zelenski. “Each of the 10 points (of this peace plan) is based on the Charter or the resolutions of the ONU. So our starting point for peace is rule-based order,” he said.

For the president of the Commission, a just peace for Ukraine “must also be a lasting peace”. And to be a lasting peace for Ukraine, it must be strengthened “in two vital ways.” First of all, by ensuring the long-term security of kyiv.

“There are different models and historical examples that can be used. A series of guarantees by like-minded States they can offer what some have called ‘negative deterrence’. In other words, provide Ukraine with the military hardware to fortify itself against future Russian attacks. The important thing is that in the end there is clarity. Clarity that the friends of Ukraine will be there in the long term for the security of Ukraine,” von der Leyen argues.

The second reinforcement for a lasting peace in Ukraine involves accelerating its entry into the European Union. European leaders offered Kiev accession candidate country status in June last year, but there is no date for the start of accession negotiations.

“The fact is that even at a time when they are fighting for their survival, Ukrainians are passing crucial reforms to strengthen their democracy. Ukraine continues to move towards our Union against all odds. And we will continue to do our part to bring Ukraine much closer more and much faster”, promised the president of the Commission.