EU will back Ukraine ‘every step of way’ until peace: von der Leyen

STRASBOURG: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed Wednesday that Europe would keep supporting Ukraine and pressuring Russia until a “just and lasting peace”, calling a revised US plan a “starting point” to end the war.

“I want to be clear from the very outset: Europe will stand with Ukraine and support Ukraine every step of the way,” von der Leyen told EU lawmakers.

Europe has been scrambling to shore up Kyiv and assert its own influence after the United States produced a plan to end the fighting that was heavily slanted towards Russia’s demands.

The European Commission president said days of negotiations to refine the US plan had begun to lay the groundwork for a possible settlement, but warned Russia showed no sign of really wanting to stop the war.

“Yes, the situation is volatile. Yes, the situation is dangerous. But I believe there is also an opportunity here to make real progress,” she said.

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As the United States has stepped up its efforts to stop the fighting, the EU is wrangling over proposals to use frozen Russian assets to fund a mammoth 140-billion-euro ($162 billion) loan for Kyiv.

Von der Leyen said her executive was preparing to present a legal text for the loan as Belgium – where the bulk of the assets are held – holds up the plan.

“To be very clear – I cannot see any scenario in which the European taxpayers alone will pay the bill,” she said.

Officials hope EU leaders will formally approve the loan plan – seen as crucial for keeping Kyiv afloat – at a summit in December.

EU foreign ministers were holding talks by videoconference Wednesday to discuss the US push on Ukraine and European efforts to make its voice heard.

Von der Leyen said that “whatever the design of a future peace treaty, it is clear that much of the implementation will come down to the European Union and the NATO partners.”

“One principle has been accepted: Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Nothing about Europe without Europe,” she said.