Visit to Ukraine as new EU leadership takes office

 Sunday 1 December 2024

Islamabad (News International / Pakistan News - 1st Dec, 2024 ) Upon his arrival in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, Costa said, “We have come to send a clear message that we stand with Ukraine and we will continue to give our full support.”

The new leadership of the European Union is keen to show that it is committed to supporting Kiev against Russian aggression, at a time when Ukraine is going through a period of intense pressure in this war that has been going on for almost three years.

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With Donald Trump taking office as US president next month, in January 2025, questions are being raised about the future of US support and there are fears that he may force Kiev to make concessions in order to achieve a quick peace agreement, which will be painful for Ukraine.

On the other hand, tensions are also rising, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to target government buildings in Kiev with his new Oryshnik missile. Russia fired the missile for the first time on Ukraine last month, with devastating results.

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the move was in response to Kiev receiving a green signal from American and British missiles to attack inside Russia.

He also threatened to retaliate against countries that supply Ukraine with weapons.

With the onset of winter, Russia has begun attacking Ukraine’s electricity supply system and grid stations, while Ukrainian forces on the front line are under severe pressure and Russian forces are advancing into Ukrainian territory.

The new head of the European Union’s foreign affairs and former Estonian Prime Minister Kaia Klaas has said that the situation in Ukraine is very serious, but it is clear that Russia is also paying a heavy price for it.

The new EU leader, accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky ready for ceasefire with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his desire for a ceasefire with Russia in an interview with Britain's Sky Television. He made his position clear on Friday ahead of any possible peace talks.

He urged NATO to provide reliable security for the areas of Ukraine controlled by Kiev to "prevent a 'hot stage' of the war" and then he would resort to diplomatic efforts to regain other areas occupied by Russia.

Zelensky added, speaking to Britain's Sky News, "If we talk about a ceasefire, we need guarantees that Putin will not return."

"The strongest guarantee of security is NATO membership, he said.

“We definitely need to talk about how we can achieve peace if Ukraine decides to draw a line somewhere, so that Putin doesn’t go any further,” he said.

NATO diplomats say the alliance looks unlikely to grant Ukraine membership anytime soon, given opposition from members wary of being dragged into a war with Russia.

But the EU should “not rule out anything” on the question of sending European troops to help enforce the ceasefire, according to Kaya Klass.

US aid to Ukraine and new President Donald Trump

US President-elect Donald Trump has cast doubt on Washington’s continued large-scale aid to Ukraine and urged EU countries to do more.

According to Germany’s Kiel Institute for the Ukraine War, Europe has spent around $125 billion overall on aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, while the US alone has spent more than $90 billion.

Kaya Klass, however, says the EU will use “transactional language” to try to convince Trump that supporting Kiev is in America’s interest.

Aid for Ukraine is not charity, she said, as a Russian victory would certainly embolden China, Iran and North Korea.

The EU’s new foreign policy chief said the bloc would continue to try to put Ukraine in the “strongest” position if Kiev chose the time to talk to Moscow.

However, she acknowledged that it was becoming “increasingly difficult” for the 27-nation bloc to agree on new ways to increase support for Ukraine.

"This war has been going on for a long time and it is becoming increasingly difficult to explain it to our people." However, he says there is no other choice.