The ongoing conflict in Ukraine was the main topic at a summit of European leaders in Dublin on Thursday. Taoiseach Micheál Martin stressed that any peace deal must include Europe. He said, "There can be no peace agreement or settlement ending the war in Ukraine without the input of Europe." The European Political Community (EPC) meeting brought together 44 leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, to discuss a peace settlement.
Key Details
European leaders pushed back against Russia's efforts to influence the continent's security. French President Emmanuel Macron said, "At the end of the day, we will be the ones to define and decide for our future security as Europeans." He noted the need for Europe to create a clear vision for peace and security. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz supported this view. He called for direct talks between Russia and European representatives, which Russia has not yet accepted.
Zelensky spoke at the summit and highlighted the need for a regular European presence at the negotiation table. He also expressed concerns about limits on SpaceX's Starshield satellite service. He claimed these limits hurt Ukraine's ability to defend against Russian drone attacks. Zelensky stated, "If someone in America is making decisions that basically treat Ukrainian territory as if it is not Ukrainian, then this tells us where things are going."
Background
The summit followed US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi with representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the US. Martin reiterated support for Ukraine, saying, "The people of Ukraine deserve a just and lasting peace. They deserve to determine their own future."
Ongoing discussions about Ukraine's security and possible peace talks could affect European defense stocks and geopolitical risk in the area. Investors will look for updates from the next EPC meeting set for April in Zurich, Switzerland.
Based on reporting by: irishtimes.com, euronews.com