Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa welcome the US-Ukraine deal for a 30-day ceasefire and continued military support for Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa voiced their support for a recent agreement between the United States and Ukraine regarding a proposed ceasefire with Russia.
Following discussions in Saudi Arabia, von der Leyen and Costa described the agreement as a positive development that could pave the way for a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine.
They stated, 'The ball is now in Russia's court' on social media platform X.
French President Emmanuel Macron also acknowledged the progress made in the talks, particularly regarding the potential for a 30-day ceasefire.
He reiterated, 'The ball is obviously in Russia's court' and underscored France's commitment to a strong and secure peace backed by robust guarantees for Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer characterized the agreement between the US and Ukraine as an 'extraordinary step forward' and called upon Moscow to agree to a ceasefire.
Starmer expressed his support for the deal, commending both President
Joe Biden and President Volodymyr Zelensky for their significant progress and urged Russia to consent to a halt in hostilities.
In a joint statement following the talks, it was reported that Ukraine supports the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.
The United States also agreed to lift restrictions on military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Additionally, the parties agreed to work towards an agreement on Ukraine's mineral resources as soon as possible, following their discussions in Jeddah, a city located on the Red Sea.