Next peace summit should be held with Russia, but not on Putin's terms - Borrell

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will continue to look for ways to hold the next peace conference with Russia's participation, but such participation should take place on the basis of international law, rather than "preconditions" that Putin puts forward for Ukraine.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said this at a press conference in Brussels on Monday after a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

An Ukrinform correspondent asked Borrell whether he deems it possible to convene the next peace summit this autumn and under what conditions it is possible to include Russia in the meeting.

Borrell said he was convinced that President Zelensky would continue the offensive in these negotiations in order to have the next conference with Russia's involvement.

"But how should one perceive what President Putin said during Prime Minister Orban's visit to Moscow? Look - these are the preconditions put forward by Putin. Yes, of course, we should hope for peace through diplomatic negotiations, but on a certain basis. And this is not Putin's basis," he said.

He said that during his communication with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, European government officials discussed further steps after the Peace Summit in Switzerland. They agreed that more should be done to attract the widest possible presence of partners from around the world.

"The summit in Switzerland had a good result, but it needs to be improved. About 90 countries agreed with the final statement of this meeting, but we have to go further to counter Russian propaganda, clarify and explain to each and every one in the world what exactly is happening. That it is Russia that is carrying out an attack against Ukraine. To remind [everyone] that there is an aggressor, and there is a party that is subjected to aggression. That Ukraine defends itself, and we help Ukraine in self-defense," he said.

According to him, the truth is that the EU's position has remained unchanged for a long time.

"We support President Zelensky's Peace Formula, which is the only peace plan in this city, in Brussels. The only peace plan supported by the European Union," Borrell concluded.