TRANSCRIPT
The European Commission has put forward twin proposals of borrowing and using immobilized Russian central bank assets, to help cover Ukraine's financing needs for the next two years.
The EU executive says its set of five legal proposals include a "reparations loan" based on Russian assets, largely held in Belgium.
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen says the support will equip Ukrainians to defend themselves and lead peace negotiations from a position of strength.
“We all know that we can never match the sacrifice of the Ukrainian people, but what we can match is their stamina, their resolve, their staying power, and we can equip them with the means to defend themselves and to lead peace negotiations from a position of strength. And since pressure is the only language the Kremlin responds to, we can also dial it up. We have to increase the costs of war for Putin's aggression. And today's proposal gives us the means to do this."
The US diplomatic team of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has completed its round of talks with Russia, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says the head of Kyiv's delegation Rustem Umerov had been in contact with Mr Witkoff.
Mr Sybiha says it was unlikely that the details of the conversations with President Putin would have been revealed, due to their sensitive nature - but the mood was encouraging.
“What the representatives of the American delegation reported is that in their assessment, the talks in Moscow were of positive significance for the peace process. This is their assessment. And they invited the Ukrainian delegation to continue our talks in America in the near future. Thank you.”
At a media conference at the White House, US President Donald Trump agreed that the talks went well.
“President Putin had a very good meeting yesterday with Jared Kushner and with Steve Witkoff. What comes out of that meeting I can't tell you because it does take two to tango, you know, Ukraine. I think we have something pretty well worked out with them. They're very satisfied considering, but the sad part is if I I were president, no war would have ever happened. They would have had 100% of their territory, nothing would have happened. It's a very sad situation.”
However, the Kremlin says no compromise had been reached on a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is preparing for talks with President Trump’s team in coming days.
He says he believes peace is within reach.
“I will also continue communication with leaders at my level, essentially daily coordination, exchanging ideas, making agreements on how to speak with other leaders and what can bring more security. Right now the world clearly feels that there is an opportunity to end the war, and that current diplomatic activity must be reinforced with pressure on Russia. Everything depends on this combination, constructive diplomacy plus pressure on the aggressor. Both components work for peace.”
NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, has revealed that two-thirds of NATO member states have now committed resources to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List known as P-U-R-L, a programme supporting Ukraine's defence needs.
Speaking in Brussels, Mr Rutte said contributions from allies and partners have surpassed $6 billion dollars [[US$4 billion]], with Australia and New Zealand joining as the first NATO partners outside the alliance to participate.
Australia and New Zealand will fund the purchase of critical military equipment for Ukraine under a new $95 million package.
The Albanese government support package will include $50 million dollars for the PURL List.
Australia will also donate $43 million dollars' worth of A-D-F supplies, including tactical air-defence radars, munitions and combat-engineering equipment, alongside a further $2 million for advanced drone technologies.
Mark Rutte says NATO is closely coordinating with the U-S and other allies as negotiations move forward.
“We all want the bloodshed to end, and I strongly welcome President Trump's continued efforts to bring about a just and lasting peace. This is vital for resolving this conflict, and we support the United States in leading this effort. And as negotiations proceed, we cannot waver in our commitment to Ukraine.”
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, says that negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine appeared stuck, and the solution to the conflict should abide by international law.
“When I see what is happening, there is one agreement made with Russia and there is one agreement made with Ukraine. The two are not compatible. Then they go again to Russia. And then, sincerely, I believe we are still far from a solution.”
