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European Council President Antonio Costa called on Wednesday for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and urged the international community to increase pressure on Russia, according to remarks at a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
“The only way forward is diplomacy and an immediate ceasefire,” Costa said. He acknowledged that peace efforts had not yet produced a breakthrough but insisted that diplomatic engagement must continue.
Peace settlement must protect Ukraine’s rights
Any agreement, Costa said, must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to determine its future. He added that a settlement should include credible security guarantees.
Costa accused Russia of escalating the conflict through attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and threats to the security of European Union member states.
“It is unacceptable that Russia has been threatening the security of European Union member states repeatedly over the past 12 months. This is a dangerous escalation,” he said.
Strikes on Odesa port raise food security concerns
The European Council president also warned that Russian strikes on the port of Odesa had affected global food security, with particularly serious consequences for African countries.
Costa said Russia had failed to occupy Ukraine, install a new government in Kyiv or weaken Europe’s determination to support the country.
“I ask you to use all your influence on Russia so that by the time of our meeting next year we have finally achieved a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and in Europe,” he said.
