The European Union will increase pressure on Russia until it stops the killing and demonstrates a genuine commitment to peace.
European Council President António Costa said this following a meeting in Sofia with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, according to the European Council press service.
“Europe’s security also depends on enlargement. Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans belong in our Union: each country moves forward on its own merits, and each is treated equally. This is the most important geopolitical investment that the European Union can and must make,” Costa said.
He noted that while candidate countries must implement the necessary reforms and honour their previous commitments, “at the same time, it is important that we also play our part by engaging with them in constructive dialogue and recognising the progress achieved.”
Costa separately highlighted the importance of continuing joint efforts to support Ukraine in its war against Russia and pointed to Russia’s increasingly hostile behaviour towards the EU.
“Our determination to support Ukraine in its self-defence and its pursuit of a just and lasting peace has never wavered. And, as you know, Russia’s hostile behaviour goes beyond Ukraine. We see it on European Union territory: drones at our borders, cyberattacks, disruption of critical infrastructure, attempts to undermine our democracies. It is time for Russia to stop this war, not escalate it,” Costa stressed.
He added that threats and intimidation from Russia would not weaken the EU’s determination to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes, until a just and lasting peace is achieved.”
“Russia must understand that Europe will not back down. On the contrary, we will increase pressure on Russia until it stops the killing and demonstrates a genuine commitment to peace. It is time to stop the war. It is time for a ceasefire and to begin genuine peace negotiations,” Costa concluded.
