Costa: Team selected to lead peace negotiations for Ukraine reflects need for coordinated action by all stakeholders

European Council President António Costa revealed that EU leaders will deliberate Ukraine's financial requirements for 2027 and future years at the forthcoming summit. The summit aims to provide Ukraine with the necessary financial and military support, as well as aid its journey towards EU membership. This announcement was made on Friday at a press conference in Dublin, following the completion of an informal European Council meeting.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed Costa's sentiments, stating that the Commission would present a proposal at the next European Council meeting to address Ukraine's funding shortfall for 2027. Von der Leyen acknowledged that attaining peace would be challenging but emphasized the EU's unity in supporting Ukraine, as demonstrated over the past five years.

The EU is focused on several areas, including secure and legally binding security assurances and a plan to ensure post-war prosperity. This work on post-war prosperity has been in progress for several months, with the EU and its partners collaborating on it. Von der Leyen also highlighted that the EU's strongest approach to persuading Russia to engage in negotiations is by consistently backing Ukraine and applying maximum pressure on Russia.

She further expressed her satisfaction with the renewed progress in peace negotiations towards a fair and enduring resolution. Von der Leyen underscored the significance of the EU's robust presence in supporting both Ukraine's and Europe's interests. She also welcomed the EU team, composed of the E5 and two EU institutions, the Council and the Commission.

Von der Leyen affirmed that the EU would continue supporting Ukraine while safeguarding its own interests and stated that the EU would continue its support for Ukraine while defending its own interests as discussions shift towards a multilateral format involving the United States and Ukraine.