EU to join Abu Dhabi talks, von der Leyen announces meeting with Zelenskyy in Dublin
The European Union will be represented at the talks in Abu Dhabi this week alongside other international partners. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also announced a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin, where they plan to discuss further steps toward peace.
The European Commission president made the announcement in an official statement, Censor.NET reports.
Von der Leyen said she had spoken by phone with Zelenskyy ahead of her trip to the Black Sea region. The main topics included maritime security, a ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
She said the situation in the Black Sea region was worsening as security threats intensified, attacks increased, and civilians were killed.
Against this backdrop, the European Commission president is beginning a visit to Romania and Bulgaria. In meetings with the leaders of both countries, she plans to discuss the situation on the ground and ways to strengthen Europe’s response.
"Freedom of navigation in the Black Sea must be restored and preserved," von der Leyen stressed.
She separately confirmed her support for Zelenskyy’s initiative for a ceasefire covering food and energy infrastructure.
The two leaders thus discussed both maritime transport security and the protection of facilities important to food supplies and energy stability.
They also discussed ongoing peace efforts and the talks scheduled for this week in Abu Dhabi.
Von der Leyen confirmed that the European Union would take part in the talks alongside its partners. She gave no details about who would represent Europe, how the meeting would be organized or what topics would be discussed.
The European Commission president also said she expected to meet Zelenskyy in Dublin at the end of the week.
There, she plans to discuss further steps toward peace with the Ukrainian president and other leaders.
