site.btaRussia Cannot Be Rewarded for Its Aggression, European Commission Says

Russia cannot be rewarded for its aggression, a European Commission spokesperson said Thursday at a press conference in response to questions about reported talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.

"Nothing can be decided about Ukraine without Ukraine", the spokesperson said. "A just and lasting peace must include Ukraine's participation in negotiations", he added. The spokesperson pointed out that reaching an agreement must take into account Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

"A bad deal will lead to more war, we must support Ukraine. We are at the beginning of a process, meetings are coming up at the Munich security conference, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be there", the spokesperson added.

He said the EU had not been in contact with Trump before the talks with Putin and that their conversation was not coordinated with the European Commission.