Before the meeting in London, Zelensky coordinated with another European ally, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that Russia is truly committed to an end to the war,” Zelenskyj wrote afterwards on X. Meloni assured Ukraine of further support against Russia and accused Moscow of a “new series of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets” in the neighboring country. The goal remains a lasting and just peace.
Ukraine should not be forced to cede territory as part of a peace solution, said the President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock. “You outlaw a war of aggression and don’t reward it. Anyone who rewards aggression will reap more wars instead of peace,” the former German Foreign Minister told the newspapers of the Funke media group. “If we were to accept that a member of the Security Council breaks the most important rule of the United Nations,” it would be like getting a free pass, she said, referring to the prohibition of force in the UN Charter.
The Ukraine war will also be a topic during Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s (CDU) visit to Beijing. He wants to urge the Chinese leadership to increase pressure on Moscow in talks about a ceasefire. “No other country has as much influence over Russia as China and can use its weight so much to ensure that Russia is finally ready for serious negotiations that respect Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Wadephul said before departure. Although Beijing publicly emphasizes that China is playing a neutral role in the war, the People’s Republic is accused in the West of supporting Moscow.
