The leaders of the three largest EU countries began saying identical words about the “ceasefire” just as the Ukrainian army launched a counteroffensive.
During the Eurovision Song Contest < "Europeans took the opportunity to show solidarity with Ukraine and tease Vladimir Putin." But outside of Ukraine's victory at this festival of shallow symbolism and poor English, the continent's most powerful capitals began singing a completely different song.
For weeks, they feared what would happen if Russia destroyed Ukraine. Western European leaders are now worried about what will happen if Ukraine actually wins the war. Recent successes of Ukrainian troops, which have been able to drive the Russian army out of some occupied territories , have led leaders from France to Germany and Italy to conclude that a once unthinkable Ukrainian victory is now a viable opportunity, Politico writes. p>
European leaders have publicly sympathized with Ukraine in its struggle, and some have provided significant assistance. However, they are also afraid that Russia's “humiliation” will create a number of new problems, Western officials told the publication. Western Europe is most concerned that Ukraine's victory will destabilize Russia, make it even more unpredictable and make the normalization of energy ties even more impossible. That is why some Western European capitals are quietly pushing for an end to the conflict, which would allow the aggressor to “save face”, even if it means giving up part of Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have repeatedly stated that only Kyiv will determine the terms of the cessation of hostilities. However, they said they would prefer a ceasefire sooner rather than later.
“We are not at war with Russia,” Macron told the European Parliament in Strasbourg last week, stressing that Europe's duty is to “stand by Ukraine to achieve a ceasefire and then restore peace.” Macron also said that once peace is established, Europe must build a “new balance of security.” The phrase was a wake-up call for Central and Eastern European countries, which heard a coded desire to reward Putin for his actions.
Read also: Macron discussed the creation of a “European political community” with leaders of several countries
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Scholz made similar remarks during his lengthy telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin on Friday. After the call, the German chancellor said on his Twitter page that he had promoted three key points, the first of which said: “Ukraine needs to cease fire as soon as possible.” There were no demands for Russia to withdraw immediately and withdraw all its troops from Ukrainian territory at Scholz's three points. In an interview with T-Online, the German chancellor, who is delaying sending heavy weapons to Ukraine, said his country would support sanctions against Russia. But he reiterated his calls for a diplomatic solution.
After meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington last week, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi also said it was time to think about a peace deal.
“We agreed that we should continue to support Ukraine and put pressure on Moscow. . But they should also ask questions about how to build peace, “Draghi said, adding that efforts should also include Ukraine.
“People want to think about the possibility of a ceasefire and the resumption of reliable negotiations. This is the situation now, “the Italian prime minister said. when Kyiv began to win the war, it means that the trio is trying to put pressure on the Ukrainian government to force it to start negotiations. So far, President Volodymyr Zelensky has not agreed to this.
Read also: Ukraine's position in the negotiations is getting tougher – Kuleba
“We want the Russian army to leave our land. We are not on Russian territory. We will not help Putin save face by paying for it with his territory. That would be unfair, “Zelensky said, adding that Macron was looking in vain for a way out for Russia.
Ukrainian officials insist that any territorial concessions to Moscow, including Crimea, will open the door to future Russian invasions of Ukrainian soil. Politico notes that the calls of European leaders to start talks with Russia are in stark contrast to US policy. After a visit to Kyiv in late April, Defense Minister Lloyd Austin said Washington believed in Ukraine's victory. Commenting on the Italian prime minister's remarks on the peace talks, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Karen Donfried said that while the conflict would eventually be resolved diplomatically, the US's priority remains to help Ukraine defend itself.
See special topic: 264 people were evacuated from Azovstal, 53 of whom were seriously injured They were taken to the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk region. An exchange will take place later. In the evening Zelensky can tell what is really happening at “Azovstal” – OP Earlier, the commander of “Azov” said that the defenders of Mariupol are following the order of the top military leadership to save lives. The EU failed to finalize the sixth package of sanctions against Russia – Borrel The problem is the lack of unanimity on the ban on Russian oil. Mariupol defenders have carried out the order, despite all the difficulties, and hope for support – the commander of “Azov” He wants to save the lives of the Ukrainian military. ISW: Russia is unable to surround the Armed Forces in Donbass, its goals have changed again Meanwhile, there is clear evidence that the Russian army is no more combat-ready reservists.
