Europe should be included in Ukraine talks: EU Commission, France
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the importance of Europe being a party to any negotiations between Russia and the US on security in Europe.
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French President Emmanuel Macron alongside European Commission President Ursula Van der Leyen, January 7, 2021, at the Elysee Palace (Reuters)
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission's chief, said on Friday that efforts to address tensions between Russia and Ukraine must include Europe.
Von der Leyen told a press conference in Paris ahead of crucial security talks between the US and Russia next week: "One thing is clear: no solution without Europe. Whatever the solution, Europe has to be involved."
She went on to say that the European Union was "very present" in Ukraine, with a total of 6 billion euros ($6.7 billion) in funding and a strong reliance on its role as a transit hub for Russian gas imports.
Speaking alongside von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the US-Russia negotiations were a great step forward, but that they would have no impact on the "European security architecture" which was "up to us to build."
"It's a good thing that there are discussions between the United States and Russia," Macron stated. "The coordination between the Europeans and Americans is exemplary on the matter," he noted, while also urging the European Union to undertake its own talks with Moscow, adding that, "Dialogue does not mean making concessions."
Russia, US defense ministers discuss risk reduction at Ukraine's borders
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu discuss over the phone risk reduction near Ukraine's borders, Defense Department Spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday, January 6.
The Russian Defense Ministry said earlier that Shoigu and Austin discussed security issues of mutual interest.
For weeks, Europe and the US have been accusing Russia of escalation with Ukraine and military buildup with tens of thousands of troops at the borders, preparing for a possible invasion. The West has also waived imposing grave, unprecedented sanctions against Russia in the event of an invasion.
For its part, Russia denies posing threat to Ukraine and stresses its right to defend its security from the hostility of Westerners who support Kiev, especially in its struggle with pro-Russian separatists.
US-Russia talks are set to be held on Monday in Geneva, followed by a Russia-NATO meeting and another meeting in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
