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MEPs announce finalists for 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

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Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson

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European Parliament expresses concern over the state of democracy in Georgia

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Sakharov Prize 2024: presentation of candidates

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Over 100 companies sign EU AI Pact to foster safe and trustworthy AI development

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European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Afghanistan, Belarus, and Cuba

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Future European Commission discussed by EP leaders

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€2.7 million from European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to aid 365 laid-off workers in Belgium

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European Central Bank cuts interest rates amid slowing growth and cooling inflation

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MEPs announce finalists for 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

MEPs announce finalists for 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought MEPs announce finalists for 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought
  MEPs have shortlisted three finalists for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, following a vote by the European Parliament's...
Read More...

Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson

Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson
Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for their groundbreaking work on how institutions...
Read More...

European Parliament expresses concern over the state of democracy in Georgia

European Parliament expresses concern over the state of democracy in Georgia European Parliament expresses concern over the state of democracy in Georgia
  Repressive legislation is suppressing media, civil society, and the LGBTQ+ community. Georgia must reverse undemocratic laws to advance...
Read More...

Sakharov Prize 2024: presentation of candidates

Sakharov Prize 2024: presentation of candidates Sakharov Prize 2024: presentation of candidates
On Thursday, political groups presented their candidates for the 2024 Sakharov Prize during a joint committee meeting. The three finalists...
Read More...

Over 100 companies sign EU AI Pact to foster safe and trustworthy AI development

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  The European Commission announced today that over 100 companies have become the first signatories of the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI)...
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European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Afghanistan, Belarus, and Cuba

European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Afghanistan, Belarus, and Cuba European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Afghanistan, Belarus, and Cuba
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions addressing the worsening human rights situations in Afghanistan, Belarus, and...
Read More...

Future European Commission discussed by EP leaders

Future European Commission discussed by EP leaders Future European Commission discussed by EP leaders
European Parliament (EP) leaders held discussions with the Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen regarding the structure and portfolios...
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€2.7 million from European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to aid 365 laid-off workers in Belgium

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The European Commission has proposed a financial package of €2.7 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers...
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European Central Bank cuts interest rates amid slowing growth and cooling inflation

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  On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced a quarter-point interest rate cut, marking the second reduction this year following...
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This weekend, I will attend the Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Switzerland. It is not a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

This Summit rather aims to develop among the participating countries common parameters for peace, grounded in international law and the UN Charter.

The Summit will also focus on selected practical issues on which to engage Russia: how to enhance nuclear security, facilitate the exchange of captives and ensure the return of the many thousands of Ukrainian children abducted to Russia, a practice that harks back to darker periods of European history. It will also focus on ensuring free navigation and protecting Black Sea port infrastructure. The impact of the war of aggression against Ukraine extends far beyond its borders. A protracted or frozen conflict would perpetuate instability and threaten global food security and economic stability. Progress in these areas could open avenues for engagement with Russia in other areas over time.

This war and its outcome are existential for Ukraine, but also for European security. Any ceasefire that would allow Russia to keep its repressive regime in occupied territories would reward this aggression, undermine international law and encourage further territorial expansion by Russia. Every UN report since 2022 provides ample evidence of the brutal repression of Ukrainians and the systematic human rights violations in occupied Ukraine.

No one desires peace more than the Ukrainians. However, the right conditions for peace matter for Ukraine and for the world. Russia is fighting an unprovoked war of choice, driven by imperial ambition, while Ukraine is fighting a war of necessity, defending its very right to exist. As Vladimir Putin said again in Saint Petersburg a few days ago, he pursues full victory on the battlefield and sees no urgency to end the war. Only a few weeks ago, he launched a new offensive against Kharkiv. His missiles have largely destroyed Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and continue to kill Ukrainian civilians every day.

Meanwhile, his envoys tour the world to discourage countries from engaging in the Summit for Peace. Russia is obviously not ready to engage in good faith negotiations and would use any ceasefire to rearm and attack again. Russia's narratives around peace are merely disguised attempts to legitimise its war of territorial conquest.

Consequently, Russia’s declaration that it would not attend the Swiss summit, even if invited, did not come as a surprise. However, the participation of close to 100 countries and organizations, from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, indicates robust international support to end the war on the basis of the UN Charter. This is crucial to reassure Ukraine, the victim of Russia’s war of aggression, ahead of any possible engagement with Russia.

Other proposals will also be discussed at the Summit, but we believe that Ukraine’s 10-point peace formula remains the most credible basis for future peace negotiations. Proposals that do not reference the UN Charter and ignore Ukraine's political sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-defence would amount to rewarding the aggressor and legitimising Russia’s attempts to redraw borders by force. Such proposals cannot bring lasting peace. In this regard, the absence of China in Switzerland and its outreach to discourage participation do not strengthen China’s claims of neutrality.

The EU wants peace in Ukraine. A diplomatic solution that respects international norms would have the backing of all EU Member States. At the same time, we must continue to match our diplomatic efforts with military support, in line with Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence as per article 51 of the UN Charter. Given that Putin shows no intention to negotiate in good faith, Europe’s continued military support to Ukraine remains just as crucial to peace in Ukraine as our support for a diplomatic track.

Yes, wars generally tend to end with a peace agreement, but the content of this peace agreement is crucial to European and global security, and the international rules-based order. Let’s make the Summit on Peace in Switzerland a first step to a fair, UN Charter-based peace in Ukraine. Photo by European Parliament from EU, Wikimedia commons.

deneme