Hungary, Italy urge truce, oppose EU hard-line stance on Russia

A draft concluding statement for the May 30-31 summit, seen by Reuters and dated May 19, describes the European Union as

unwavering in its commitment to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression.

It does not mention peace talks.

Participants at last Friday's meeting of EU envoys said Italy's ambassador had suggested changes to the text, saying it should refer to peace talks and include an immediate ceasefire as one of the EU's first objectives.

THE ITALIAN PROPOSAL WAS SUPPORTED BY HUNGARY AND CYPRUS.

Hungary is opposed to the EU's proposal of an all-out oil embargo, while Cyprus opposes a draft that would ban property sales to Russian citizens.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a speech at the Davos forum on Tuesday, took a hawkish stand on Russia and made no mention of peace talks.

Ukraine must win this war, and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's aggression must be a strategic failure,

she said.

The latest draft of the summit conclusions says the EU "remains committed to bolstering the ability of Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty."

Baltic countries and Poland are among the strongest supporters of a hard line, and Latvia has urged even more explicit wording for increased military support, diplomats said.

A revised draft is due later on Wednesday after a meeting of EU envoys, one diplomat said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that the West remained divided over the extent of its support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s months-long invasion, the Kyiv Post reported.

Unity is about weapons. My question is, is there this unity in practice? I can’t see it. Our huge advantage over Russia would be when we are truly united,

Zelensky said during a panel discussion on Ukraine at the World Economic Forum.

Zelensky said Ukraine was grateful for support from US President Joe Biden but said resolve was lagging closer to home.

We are on the European continent and we need the support of a united Europe,

he added.

Zelensky specifically named neighbouring Hungary, which has voiced opposition to a European Union-wide embargo on Russian oil, another key Ukrainian demand.

Hungary is not as united as rest of EU,

Zelensky said.

He also pointed to a lack of consensus over Sweden and Finland’s historic bid to join NATO, which has been called into question by Turkey.

“Is there this unity regarding the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO? No, no. So, is there a strong joint West? No,” the Ukrainian leader said.

Cover photo: In this picture released by the Prime Minister's Press Office, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi attend an extraordinary summit of EU heads of state and government to discuss the Russian-Ukrainian war and its consequences in Versailles on 11 March 2022. MTI/Prime Minister's Press Office/Zoltán Fischer