Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Deputy Chief Spokesperson of the EU Commission, Stefan De Keersmaecker, reiterated the European Union’s view that Ukraine is a democracy while Russia is not.
He was responding to comments made by United States President Donald Trump that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is a “dictator without elections,” as his term had ended last year and the state decided not to hold an election in wartime.
We have a fairly straightforward and clear position on this: President Zelensky was legitimately elected in free, fair and democratic elections,
EU spokesman Stefan De Keersmaecker briefed reporters.
Ukraine is a democracy, Putin’s Russia is not.
The European Union urges that both Ukraine and Europe must have a say during any peace talks.
There can be no solution for Ukraine without the involvement of Ukraine, nor without the involvement of the European Union,
De Keersmaecker stated.
What concerns does Von der Leyen have about Trump’s approach?
Moreover, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed significant concern regarding Donald Trump’s approach to Ukraine peace talks. She raised concern particularly his decision to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin without including European allies. She restated in her statement the importance of Europe signing any agreement relating to Ukraine.
Financially and militarily, Europe has brought more to the table than anyone else. And we will step up. We want to partner with the U.S. to deliver a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,
von der Leyen noted.
Now is a critical moment,
she added.
After the meeting on Ukraine, she said,
Today in Paris, we reaffirmed that Ukraine deserves peace through strength. Peace respectful of its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, with strong security guarantees. Europe carries its full share of the military assistance to Ukraine. At the same time we need a surge in defense in Europe.
