Von der Leyen: Putin does not want peace, so we have to increase pressure

According to a Ukrinform correspondent, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated this to journalists ahead of the European Political Community (EPC) summit on Friday in Tirana.

"During the last days, we could all witness President Putin's true beliefs. He first called for a ceasefire around the 9 May celebrations, which he then never respected. Then Ukraine, with the support of the European Union and the United States, called for a full and unconditional ceasefire of 30 days, which President Putin then rejected. And finally, he proposed a meeting directly between Ukraine and Russia in Türkiye. President Zelensky was ready to meet, but President Putin never showed up. This shows that President Putin does not want peace," she said.

According to the European Commission President, this is precisely why pressure on Russia must be intensified.

Ursula von der Leyen also disclosed some details of the new sanctions package against the Russian Federation, which will include sanctions on Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 and a lowered price cap on Russian oil.

"And this is why we are working on a new package of sanctions. This package will, for example, include sanctions on Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2; listing more vessels of the Russian shadow fleet; lowering the oil price cap; and finally more sanctions on the financial sector in Russia," the Commission President said.

She emphasized that pressure on Putin must continue "until he is ready for peace."

As reported, on May 10 Ukraine, together with its allies — France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland — proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. In the event of refusal, Ukraine’s allies plan to ramp up sanctions against Russia.

Later, Putin made a proposal to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine "where they were interrupted" in 2022 — in Istanbul, Türkiye.

President Zelenskyy stated that he would personally wait for Putin in Türkiye on May 15.

However, the Russian President instead sent a delegation headed by his aide Vladimir Medinsky.