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Commission leader Ursula von der Leyen has characterized the conditions regarding the Ukrainian conflict as "unstable" and "dangerous" while accusing Russia of showing no "real intent" of engaging in peace talks.

These comments were followed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared it was "hasty" to speak about reaching a conflict resolution.

Protection Assurances and European Stance

Von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine would require strong defense assurances able to discouraging any subsequent attacks, arguing that Russia still upheld a post-WWII mentality and saw the Europe as a "area of control".

She was addressing the EU legislature in Strasbourg as the US ramped up endeavors to mediate a settlement between Ukraine and Russia.

Current Negotiation Advancements

Discussions recently in Switzerland and then UAE have resulted in Ukraine accepting the "essence" of a conflict resolution, after modifications were applied to an preliminary 28-clause plan widely criticized as overwhelmingly tilted in favor of Russia.

President Zelensky stated the revised proposal represented "the proper method" - but major points of contention with Russia continue and the Kremlin has continually played down proposals of a agreement.

"Let me be clear from the very outset: Europe will support Ukraine and support Ukraine consistently," the Commission President declared.

Blocked Funds and Legal Issues

Additionally addressed the matter of 210 billion euros value of Russian blocked funds held in EU banks.

Belgium is currently resisting the concept of transferring these assets to Ukraine, as it fears contravening worldwide legal standards and being made to cover the costs if Moscow launch a judicial appeal.

Further states likewise are apprehensive the reimbursement of the blocked funds could eventually become the responsibility of continental residents – although von der Leyen attempted to reassure those fears, remarking she could not imagine such a scenario.

Continental Marginalization from Discussions

Recent times of intense negotiations have predominantly omitted the EU countries, who recently were blindsided by the American-Russian 28-point conflict resolution blueprint, which included suggestions to hand land to Russia currently under Kyiv's authority and restrict the scale of Ukraine's defense forces.

European leaders have afterward maintained they will need a place in negotiations also, before any definitive settlement over how to conclude hostilities can be accomplished.

"Ukrainian matters require Ukrainian participation. Nothing about Europe without Europe. Nothing about Nato without Nato," she addressed the legislature.

Forthcoming Peace Efforts

Chancellor Friedrich Merz furthermore asserted EU nations was "not subordinate, but a independent player, with its own interests and values."

Nonetheless, as it presently appears EU countries are not scheduled to be included in the subsequent phase of negotiations and Russia has batted off engagement by EU officials.

"The Europeans involving themselves in all these matters is, as I see it, absolutely needless," Russian presidential assistant Yuri Ushakov stated.

Instead, United States special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow in coming days, while the US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will go to Ukraine.

The America has been engaging in "back-and-forth negotiations" between Russia and Ukraine since the start of Trump's second term in recent months - but so far such attempts have been unable to produce substantial outcomes.

Face-to-face Discussions Proposed

Zelensky declared recently he sought face-to-face negotiations with US leader before the month's end to discuss the main disagreements between the Kyiv's and the Moscow's stances, such as authority over Ukraine's eastern territories, membership of the alliance and the scale of its army.

Concurrently, President Trump published a communication on social media saying he would be willing to meet both Kyiv leader and Moscow leader soon, but "ONLY when the settlement to resolve this conflict is CONCLUDED or, in its last steps".