Costa Highlights “New Momentum” in Ukraine Peace Talks and Calls for Full EU Role on Sanctions
European Council President António Costa announced significant progress in peace talks on Ukraine after a meeting of EU leaders in Angola.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to European Pravda.
After the informal summit in Luanda, Costa said that the European Union sees “new momentum” in efforts to achieve peace, particularly after the meeting in Geneva between Ukraine, the US, and European representatives.
According to him, Washington and Kyiv noted the constructive nature of the discussions and progress on a number of important issues.
Costa stressed that Brussels is ready to continue working on all problematic issues together with Ukraine, the US, and NATO, emphasizing the importance of partnership and coordinated action.
“We welcome this step forward. Some issues still remain to be resolved, but the direction is positive, and we highly appreciate the efforts of Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump and their teams,” the President of the European Council stressed.
The European Council leader underlined that the main goal is to stop the war, end human casualties, and ensure a just and lasting peace for the Ukrainian people. The European Union, he said, remains committed to close coordination and active participation in achieving this result.
After the informal meeting, he also recalled that the EU had previously committed to providing financial support to Kyiv, and that these decisions would be finalized at the European Council meeting in December.
“We are ready to continue supporting this process, working closely with the European Union and in close coordination with Ukraine, the United States, and NATO,” António Costa emphasized.
He stressed that decisions on frozen Russian assets, sanctions against Russia, and EU enlargement policy should be taken exclusively by the EU. He noted that these issues are the internal responsibility of the Union and require the full participation of all member states.
Earlier, in response to the US peace plan, European leaders agreed on a different approach regarding sanctions and reconstruction. Unlike the US proposal, which suggested immediate lifting, the European version calls for phased coordination. Ukraine is to receive financial compensation, including from frozen Russian assets, until all damages are fully reimbursed.
As The Gaze previously reported, the European Commission confirmed that the primary focus of Ukraine’s financial support for 2026–2027 will be on using frozen Russian assets, although other funding options may also be considered. Guided by the IMF’s estimate of around $60 billion, the Commission is developing specific assistance models, including the possibility of Norway acting as a guarantor for loans backed by frozen assets.
Belgium’s stance is particularly significant, as a large portion of Russia’s frozen assets are held there, and the country’s agreement is crucial for determining how these funds can be accessed and allocated.
Read more on The Gaze: Belgium’s Cautious Stance on Russian Assets: Legal Paths to a Reparations Loan for Ukraine Remain Open