European Council president reminds Russian leader of Ukraine’s territorial integrity

During the call, President Michel addressed the situation in Libya and in the wider Middle East, and recalled the EU's position on supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

As noted, the phone call took place on Thursday, January 16, ahead of the upcoming Libya Conference, which is to be held in Berlin on January 19.

“During the first contact between Charles Michel, in his capacity as president of the European Council, and Vladimir Putin, President Michel recalled the EU's position on the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements; noted the Paris Summit held in December 2019 in the Normandy format and welcomed the gas transit agreement concluded between Ukraine and Russia. The EU supports Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,” the statement reads.

Also, the president of the European Council repeated that the European Union fully supports UN initiatives and the Berlin process. The presidents are hopeful that all parties will come to an agreement to lock in a ceasefire and to re-launch the political process.

For the president of the European Council it is essential to reach out to all international partners in order to discuss options for de-escalation in Iran and Iraq.

President Michel stressed that the European Union fully supports the JCPOA as an important contribution to regional security and a key pillar of the global non-proliferation architecture.