“For Russia, Ukraine remains only a first step in a much bigger game,” Von der Leyen: Europe must keep up the pressure on Moscow

Europe must increase pressure on Moscow, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday. Despite its stated intention to start peace talks, Russia’s mentality has not changed, she said.

The US-led peace talks offer Moscow the prospect of economic relief despite its ongoing attack on Ukraine, but von der Leyen stressed that Russia remains determined to redraw the map forever.

“From the outset, Russia believed it could prevail against Ukraine, Europe, and all its allies… And that is why violence escalates every time serious progress is made toward negotiations that could lead to genuine peace,” she said, referring to the latest Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

The US’s 28-point plan calls for Ukraine to cede territory, accept restrictions on its military, and renounce NATO membership. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the plan as a basis for resolving the conflict, but acknowledged that Moscow could reject individual points.

“The statements from the Kremlin in recent days speak volumes about its true intentions. For them, Ukraine remains only a first step in a much bigger game,” von der Leyen said. /The Geopost/