EU Commission President von der Leyen: If Putin Stops Bombing, Peace Talks Can Start Immediately
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said peace talks could start immediately if Russia stopped bombing Ukraine. During her visit in Rome, the European Parliament elections and regional security issues were discussed.
European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has sent a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin: If the bombing of Ukraine ceases, peace talks can begin immediately. This statement was made during von der Leyen’s visit to the Italian capital Rome. Rome was not only a diplomatic stop for von der Leyen, but also an important campaigning ground for the European Parliament elections.
Youth Meetings and Protests
As part of her program in Rome, von der Leyen met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, leader of Forza Italia, a member of the European People’s Party (EPP). Their meeting with young people was notable for its hopeful and challenging tone. During this meeting, however, von der Leyen was greeted by a group of protesters chanting “Shame” and “Free Palestine”. This situation revealed how intertwined Europe’s domestic and foreign policy problems are.
Security Perception and Defense Policies
In an interview with a television channel, von der Leyen emphasized that Russia’s attack on Ukraine has radically changed Europe’s security perception. Stating that common defense and security policies are gaining momentum, von der Leyen said that it is inevitable to increase defense spending in Europe’s future budget planning.
No Meeting with the Prime Minister of Italy
The fact that von der Leyen did not hold any official talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her visit to Italy was also widely reported in the Italian press. This illustrates the complex nature of diplomatic relations within the EU and how domestic political dynamics can be reflected in international relations.
Conclusion
In many ways, the visit to Rome by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the difficult situation in Europe and the diplomatic, political and security challenges it faces. One of the most striking messages of the visit was the hope that peace could one day be possible, depending on Putin’s actions.
