The conflict in Ukraine dominated 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
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the EU is “potentially in a process” on negotiations in finding a peace agreement in Ukraine.
asserted
EU → say → Ukraine
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
Speaking after the conclusion of the EPC, Mr Martin rejected assertions that Europe’s exclusion from the meeting with Mr Zelensky reflects America’s role as decision-makers on peace in Ukraine.
asserted
exclusion → speak → Ukraine
He said: “I think the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky at the EPC underpins the value for Ukraine of the European Political Community and the sense of solidarity, support that he has received from many of the countries around the table today.
asserted
he → say → table
“In fact, there was a very specific meeting – the Friends of Ukraine group who met – and there is no question that the European Union and indeed the wider European political community has through its support of Ukraine been indispensable.
asserted
Union → be → Ukraine
“President Zelensky made this point that the US and Russia know that there can be no progress in terms of the European situation or European security or long-term resolution of this issue without European input.
asserted
US → make → input
“Without question, if you look at financial supports, EPC member countries and defence and military support from many members of the EPC is indispensable to Ukraine.
asserted
support → look → Ukraine
“I think the Americans accept there should be a European voice at the table.
asserted
Americans → think → table
“The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to debrief President Zelensky in terms of the meeting today between President Putin, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and we will await the outcome of that.
asserted
we → debrief → that
Read More
“There is a further meeting next week in Berlin of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine, which, from the get-go, I think has been a very significant and impactful initiative led by the UK, France, and Germany.”
asserted
I → read → UK
President of the European Council Antonio Costa said Russia had “decided to undermine” European security “by force, culminating in the invasion of Ukraine”.
asserted
Russia → say → Ukraine
Speaking at a press conference at the Convention Centre in the Irish capital, he said: “As the pace of diplomacy accelerated, it is important to recall that the lasting peace needs to be a just peace, and the just peace, a peace that allows for security in Europe to be restored needs to be anchored in clear principles.
asserted
security → speak → principles
“First of all Ukraine is a sovereign nation, like any other nation in Europe, it must be free to choose its alliances and its partnerships.
asserted
it → choose → alliances
“Europe has consigned empires and zones of influence to the dustbin of history and we will never allow for them to come to life again.
asserted
them → consign → life
“Secondly, the future of European security cannot be discussed and decided without Europe.
asserted
future → discuss → Europe
“That is why the European Union, together with Nato and several European nations, is playing its role in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.”
asserted
Union → play → efforts
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Zelensky 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.”
asserted
We → need → way
Arriving at the event amid high security in Dublin on Thursday morning, French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe’s support for Ukraine was critical because “there is no more US support”.
asserted
support → arrive → Ukraine
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 → come → Dhabi
Opening the plenary meeting, Mr 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.
“From what I have heard from our delegation, the talks were serious, not empty.”
asserted
talks → comment → delegation
He said a proposed prisoners-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
…and 15 more, not listed.