Council President EU

Brussels (dpa) — European Council President António Costa on Saturday restated the European Union’s fundamental openness to talks with Russia on securing peace in Ukraine.

Speaking in Brussels on Europe Day, Costa said the EU was prepared to engage in talks towards a just and durable peace in Ukraine.

Talks would have to be conducted with Russia to discuss common security issues at an appropriate point, Costa said, while stressing that the EU would not act on its own. No actions would be undertaken to undermine US President Donald Trump’s peace initiative, he said.

Shortly before speaking in Brussels, Costa spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The EU stood with Ukraine “in its fight for peace and in defence of our shared European values,” Costa posted on X.

“Ukraine’s future lies in the European Union. We look forward to taking the next steps in your accession process as soon as possible. Together, we are building a shared European future,” he added.