18-05-2025
Austria offers to host Ukraine peace negotiations
Austria announced on Sunday the launch of a European diplomatic initiative aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The Austrian Press Agency quoted Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger as confirming Vienna's call as part of a joint European proposal submitted to the EU for a ceasefire.
The agency explained that "Austria, along with 15 EU member states, sent a joint letter to EU External Relations Commissioner Kaja Kallas, proposing expanding the scope of diplomatic action to persuade more countries to use their relations with Russia to push them toward agreeing to a ceasefire."
Reisinger's letter stated: "The EU has a strategic interest in strengthening global support for the ceasefire proposal. Many countries maintain close relations with Moscow, and these relations can be used to increase diplomatic pressure."
This European initiative is expected to be discussed next Tuesday during the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels.
