EU responds to Wittkoff's comment on Russian 'referendums' in occupied territories

This was stated by the representative of the European Commission Anita Hipper at a briefing in Brussels, commenting on the words of the US Special Representative Steve Witkoff about Russian “referendums” in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories and the need to take into account the claims of the Russian occupiers to these lands during the negotiations, a Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“When it comes to peace talks, our position is very clear. I would like to emphasize two key points. First, Ukraine must determine its own terms. Second, without Ukraine’s participation, negotiations are meaningless. Given Russia’s ongoing attacks, it cannot be trusted. We also witnessed attacks over the weekend, including a strike on Kyiv that killed three people, including a five-year-old child. This clearly demonstrates that Russia needs to demonstrate its genuine willingness to stop its illegal and unjustified aggression,” Hipper said.

Read also: Occupied territories are the key issue in Russia's war against Ukraine – Vitkoff

She stressed that the EU provides military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and continues to increase pressure on Russia – 16 packages of sanctions have already been introduced against the aggressor state and a 17th package is being prepared.

“We must support Ukraine now more than ever. And that is what we intend to do,” the spokeswoman added.

At the same time, she described the Russian “referendums” in the occupied territories, which the US special representative announced, as “an absolute fraud”, emphasizing that they took place “at gunpoint”.

Read also: Vitkoff's statements seen as concession to Kremlin ahead of peace talks – ISW

Hipper also recalled that at the meeting of the European Council on 20 March, the heads of state and government reaffirmed their continued support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

As reported by Ukrinform, Steve Witkoff noted in an interview with American host Tucker Carlson that the key issue in the resumption of the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine is the issue of temporarily occupied territories.

Photo: The Washington Post