In less than 48 hours, European leaders have held two meetings in Africa to discuss the future of Ukraine. First in South Africa, within the G20 framework and alongside other allies of Volodymyr Zelensky, and this Monday in Angola, taking advantage of the EU-African Union summit. The 27 EU members understand that the initial plan proposed by Donald Trump and endorsed by Russia, if accepted as is, jeopardizes the security of the entire continent. They believe that Russia will not settle. "This concerns the security of our entire continent, now and in the future. Today's meeting in Luanda has reaffirmed that we are united in our support for Ukraine," stated Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, after the meeting.
The issue of security is raised by all European leaders as one of the main arguments to object to some points of the plan sponsored by the White House. In the meeting held this weekend in Geneva between representatives of the US, Europe, and Ukraine, that text has been modified, and Ukrainian representatives have appreciated that many of their requests have been accepted. However, security is the elephant in the room for the EU, fearing that Putin will not be satisfied and will continue to challenge Europe's borders.
"We are witnessing serious attacks on our infrastructure. We are witnessing serious attacks on our cybersecurity. Therefore, this poses a serious threat to the entire political order of the European continent," declared German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in an interview with DW.
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez expressed a similar sentiment upon his arrival at the summit and after participating in the European conclave on Ukraine. "The important thing is that the agreement that can be reached is one that guarantees that fair and lasting peace. That Ukraine, in all aspects related to its freedom, independence, and national and foreign policy, decides jointly with the rest of the allies because we are talking about the European security architecture."
"Ukraine's territory and sovereignty must be respected. Only Ukraine, as a sovereign country, can make decisions regarding its armed forces; the choice of its destiny is in its own hands," reiterated Von der Leyen in a statement to the press without questions.
Europe considers that the initial proposal from the US was a good basis to work on, as is being done in Geneva, but there are points in the plan that need to be corrected or changed. "The US and Ukraine informed us that the discussions were constructive and progress was made on several issues. We welcome this step forward. Although there are still some issues to be resolved, the direction is positive, and we commend the efforts of Presidents Zelensky and Trump and their teams," explained António Costa, President of the European Council after the conclusion of the 27's meeting. "Issues directly affecting the EU, such as sanctions, enlargement, or frozen assets, require the full participation and decision of the EU."
The meeting was held in a hybrid format. It was originally planned this way, but it also served as a solution for several leaders who could not reach Luanda due to flight problems. This was the case for French President Emmanuel Macron, who experienced a delay. The meeting took place at the Epic Sana hotel in the capital of Angola, not at the venue where the EU-African Union summit is being held on Monday and Tuesday.
In the room arranged for the occasion, with tables forming a square, were Costa, Ursula von der Leyen (President of the EC), as well as Friedrich Merz (Germany), Donald Tusk (Poland), Giorgia Meloni (Italy), Andrej Plenkovic (Croatia), Pedro Sánchez (Spain), Luís Montenegro (Portugal), Petr Fiala (Czech Republic), Robert Fico (Slovakia), Dick Schoof (Netherlands), and Micheal Martin (Ireland).
Leaders from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, France, and the High Representative, Kaja Kallas, connected remotely.