Von der Leyen: EU's priority in Ukraine talks will be a ceasefire

A ceasefire, the development of security guarantees and contracts for the European Union on Ukraine's reconstruction will be the bloc's priorities in possible negotiations with Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. She also promised to present the 22nd package of sanctions against Russia as soon as possible and to put forward proposals on military financing for Ukraine by the end of the year.

On November 12, the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the bloc insists on a ceasefire before any negotiations on a settlement to the conflict. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said earlier that possible European participation in the Ukraine talks was not discussed at the meeting held the day before in Moscow with American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The EU has not been invited to the Ukraine talks, noted Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council.