Summit takes place as US starts ‘peace talks’ with Russia
The Portuguese government will be absent from today’s hastily convened summit of European leaders, promoted by French president Emmanuel Macron, following the stark comments delivered by the United States over brokering a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
A source for the executive has told Lusa news agency that the country nevertheless remains in “permanent contact with its partners”.
The source described today’s summit as “an informal meeting of a group of leaders” which “does not replace the decision-making bodies of the European Union”.
“The Government is in constant contact with European and transatlantic partners on Ukraine and is ready to contribute to a fair, inclusive and lasting peace solution, which ensures effective security guarantees for Ukraine,” the source continued, stressing that the European Union must be included in on the shaping of any peace solution.
France’s President Macron has described the meeting today as one with “the main European countries” to discuss European security.
The meeting will be attended by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa, as well as heads of government from seven countries (Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, Netherlands and Denmark) and Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte.
In that, any decision coming out of the meeting would logically have the approval of decision-making bodies of the European Union.
The meeting today goes ahead as the United States initiates talks with Russia in Riyadh about a ceasefire, purposely excluding both Ukraine and Europe. The US moves have opened a “sudden transatlantic chasm”, in the words of the Guardian, leaving “fears in Europe that Russia via the US talks will relaunch its plan for imposed Ukrainian neutrality, and a joint US-Russia carve-up with agreed spheres of influence”. ND
Source material: LUSA/ Guardian
