Russia-Ukraine war live: EU foreign ministers to consider Zelenskiy peace plan at Kyiv summit amid fears over future of US aid
EU foreign ministers to consider Zelenskiy peace plan at Kyiv summit amid fears over US aid
Lisa O’Carroll
EU foreign ministers will consider Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s peace plan at a historic meeting in Kyiv this morning.
The ministers, who rarely meet outside the confines of the territory of the EU, takes place amid concerns over cracks in US funding for the war and after a pro-Russian populist party won the most votes in an election in Slovakia on Saturday.
Speaking on the way into the summit, the EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, did not mention either issue but underlined the importance of solidarity in Europe.
“It is about [the] stability and predictability of the world. Because this war is having deep consequences for the whole world. But for us Europeans, it’s an existential threat. Maybe it’s not being seen like this for everybody around the world. But for us, Europeans, allow me to repeat it. It’s an existential threat,” he said.
Sources say the meeting will focus on all aspects of “EU support to Ukraine, with particular focus on continued military assistance, peace efforts and EU accession”.
Zelenskiy’s 10-point peace plan has been discussed by national security representatives twice in the past year, but not at this level.
Joe Biden vowed to stand by Ukraine after the passing of a stopgap bill on Saturday. The bill extended government funding for 45 days in order to avert a US government shutdown, but did not include aid for Kyiv.