The conflict in Ukraine dominated the opening of a major political summit in Dublin as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned European leaders of Russia’s desire to reshape the security framework of the continent.
asserted
Zelensky → dominate → continent
In an address to the European Political Community meeting – the largest ever political and diplomatic event held in Ireland – Mr Zelensky said it was important that Europe has a regular place at the negotiating table amid continued efforts to end the war.
asserted
Europe → hold → war
Mr Zelensky also expressed concern at the latest speed restrictions on SpaceX’s Starshield satellite internet service over occupied parts of Ukraine where Russian drone attacks are launched from.
asserted
attacks → express → where
He told EPC delegates that the 100mph restriction was limiting Ukraine’s ability to take out the fast-moving jet-powered drones.
asserted
restriction → tell → drones
“This means more Russian strikes get through, and more of our people are killed, our civilians are killed by Russia,” he said.
asserted
he → mean → Russia
“We are trying to get the details from the American side, but so far we know very little.
asserted
we → try → little
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.
asserted
things → make → us
We need to be clear and never recognise Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory in any way.”
The meeting at the Convention Centre in Dublin city centre comes after Wednesday’s talks between delegations from Ukraine, Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi.
asserted
meeting → need → Dhabi
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to meet Mr Zelensky in Dublin later on Thursday evening following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day.
asserted
Witkoff → set → day
Opening the plenary meeting, Irish premier Micheál Martin reiterated the continent’s support for Ukraine.
asserted
Martin → open → Ukraine
“The people of Ukraine deserve a just and lasting peace,” he said.
asserted
he → deserve → peace
“They deserve to determine their own future.
asserted
They → deserve → future
They have shown themselves to be brave and strong beyond measure, and it is long past time for Russia to stop this immoral war.”
asserted
Russia → show → war
Commenting on his scheduled meeting with Mr Kushner and Mr Witkoff, President Zelensky told the EPC: “We will talk with them about the results of these negotiations over the past few days and it is very good that Europeans are now part of these talks, not directly yet, and not yet when the Russians are at the table, but Europeans are already involved, and we need to make sure that Europe becomes a regular part of these negotiations.
asserted
becomes → comment → negotiations
Read More
“From what I have heard from our delegation, the talks were serious, not empty.”
asserted
talks → read → delegation
He said a proposed prison-of-war exchange between Russia and Ukraine was important.
asserted
exchange → say → Russia
Mr Zelensky then referred to the issue of security guarantees.
asserted
Zelensky → refer → guarantees
“And here Europe really needs to pay attention,” he said.
asserted
he → need → attention
“When the Americans and Russians talk about this, it’s not just about security guarantees for Ukraine.
asserted
it → talk → Ukraine
“In fact, it’s more about some kind of new security framework between Europe and Russia, and we find this approach a bit strange, because for 30 years after the Soviet Union collapsed, Europe treated Russia well, and Europe tried to have as much trade as possible, as much co-operation as possible, and as good relations as possible with Russia.
asserted
Europe → ’ → Russia
“Putin’s wars are really about only his attitude toward others, not some kind of permanent confrontation with Europe that was impossible to avoid, but still we hear what we hear today.
asserted
we → avoid → what
We are waiting for more details and Europe needs to pay close attention.”
asserted
Europe → wait → attention
Earlier, Mr Macron told reporters it was up to Europe to define the future of its own security.
asserted
it → tell → security
“It’s important today what we do with Ukraine and to clearly keep supporting them,” he said.
asserted
he → ’ → them
“I think it is very important as well to endorse very clear principles and commitments as Europeans in this wider Europe, which is this European Political Community, in order to make sure that we design, ourselves, our own security principles and our own architecture of security.
asserted
design → think → security
“I think what’s important is what we do.
asserted
we → think → what
Let’s be honest.
asserted
’s → let → ?
You have here today in Ireland probably 80% or 90% of the contribution of this coalition of the willing.
asserted
You → have → willing
“It’s 100% of the support to Ukraine.
asserted
It → ’ → Ukraine
We are those to support Ukraine.
asserted
We → support → Ukraine
We are those to help them in this resistance war.
asserted
We → help → war
at the end of the day, we will be the ones to define and decide for our future security as Europeans.
asserted
we → define → Europeans
I have no doubt about that.”
asserted
I → have → that
Around 50 heads of state as well as senior European Union officials are attending the EPC.
asserted
heads → attend → EPC
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were among those arriving at the Convention Centre on Thursday morning amid the biggest security operation in the history of the Irish state.
asserted
Carney → arrive → state
UK President Andy Burnham arrived later, flying into Dublin after attending the UN Cop31 climate conference in Turkey.
asserted
Burnham → arrive → Turkey
His attendance comes as the UK announced sanctions against all 10 of Russia’s major oil producers.
asserted
UK → come → producers
The package includes sanctions on shadow fleet vessels illicitly transporting Russian oil, Russian oil company Slavneft, and Rosneft’s flagship Arctic oil and gas project, LLC Vostok Oil.
asserted
package → include → oil
At the summit, the UK Prime Minister is co-chairing a security and defence roundtable, attending a meeting focused on Ukraine and holding a series of bilateral talks.
asserted
Minister → co → talks
The EPC is being held in Dublin as part of Ireland’s six-month presidency of the EU Council.
asserted
EPC → hold → Council