Zelensky urges Europe to push ahead of a ceasefire with Russia

Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky has called on European leaders to force the Kremlin to stop air and naval attacks on Ukraine as a step towards confidence building and progress in negotiations on ending the war and to strengthen security throughout Europe.

“All should make sure that Russia, as the only source of this war, agrees that it must end the fight”, Zelensky said during the special summit of European leaders in Brussels on March 6th, according to a copy of his speech.

“This can be witnessed with two forms of silence that can easily be monitored, respectively: no attacks on the energy and civil infrastructure a missile ceasefire, bombs and long-range action fears, and the second is a water ceasefire, meaning no military operation on the Black Sea”.

After the Paris and London crisis meeting, the March 6th summit will focus on the plan, which includes a major strengthening of air defence, artillery and <x0-> capacity for precise attacks”. The plan calls for increasing defence spending for 800 billion euros, while the United States has suspended assistance for Ukraine and has signaled that Europe should play a greater role in its security.

“Europe faces a clear and present danger, so Europe must be able to defend itself”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said as it arrived at the summit together with Zelensky.

“This is a very important moment for Europe and Ukraine as part of our European family”, she said. “is also a very important moment for Ukraine”.

Thursday's summit was called February 27th in response to rapid diplomatic developments. Since then, however, developments have accelerated, after the crash at the Oval Office and Washington's decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine. / REL