[Prime Minister’s Press Office/Dimitris Papamitsos]
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has stressed that Europe must be directly involved in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, warning that no lasting peace agreement or future European security framework can be shaped without its participation.
Speaking on Thursday upon his arrival at the 9th Summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Dublin, Mitsotakis expressed cautious optimism over recent diplomatic efforts but insisted that Europe must have a voice in the negotiations.
“There can be no discussion about a long-term peace agreement in Ukraine, and certainly no discussion about a future European security architecture without Europe’s involvement at the negotiation table,” he said.
Recalling that the first EPC summit was held in Prague shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the prime minister noted that the conflict remains unresolved four and a half years later.
He said the form of Europe’s participation in peace negotiations would be discussed on Friday, adding that European institutions should be represented, backed by some of the continent’s largest countries.
Dublin’s EPC summit brings together leaders from 27 EU member states and 21 non-EU countries, including Ukraine, ahead of Friday’s informal European Council meeting. Ireland currently holds the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the EU.
Mitsotakis also called for a ceasefire and stronger protection of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, describing an end to attacks on merchant vessels as an absolute priority.
Turning to the Middle East, he warned that the conflict was adding to economic uncertainty in Europe and also highlighted Europe’s shared concerns over energy costs and the need to reduce strategic dependencies that threaten competitiveness and security.