Munich (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Council President António Costa has stated that concessions before negotiations with Russia are not acceptable. Only Kyiv can decide the terms of the peace talks, and the EU will continue to back it.
Speaking at the Munich Conference, Costa stated,
“Only Ukraine can determine the terms of the negotiations. Making concessions before negotiations is a huge mistake, so we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. A comprehensive, integrated peace cannot just mean a ceasefire. It cannot allow Russia to attack again.”
He also noted that it is impossible to enable the aggressor; it is necessary to ensure that Russia no longer poses a threat to Ukraine and Europe and that Russia contains a threat to international security.
“There will be no credible and successful negotiations; no lasting peace is possible without Ukraine and the EU,”
Costa expressed.
Follow my speech at the Munich Security Conference #MSC2025 https://t.co/O5skOUVVLT
— António Costa (@eucopresident) February 15, 2025
What concerns have risen from Trump’s call with Putin?
Analysts state that the phone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has stoked worries that Europe will be completely withdrawn from the peace process. European leaders congealed their tone in response to the phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, reminding the US president that any peace deal will require Europe’s involvement to operate in practice.
How did Costa respond to Trump’s peace stance?
In a response to the conversation, António Costa, the president of the EU Council, gave a similar caution to the White House, discussing peace in Ukraine and security in Europe are “inseparable.”
“Peace cannot be a simple ceasefire. Russia must no longer be a threat to Ukraine, to Europe, to international security,”
Costa stated.
“There will be no credible and successful negotiations, no lasting peace, without Ukraine and without the EU.”
