Check against delivery! 

Good day, everybody. It is good to be here. 

We have many topics to discuss. First, of course, Ukraine: what more can we do to help Ukraine? Also the peace process – what is the European input also to the process. 

What we can see is that we are now three weeks into the time where Ukraine was agreeing to unconditional ceasefire and three weeks later, we still don't have Russia [agreeing to it]. Russia is playing games and not really wanting peace. 

Our question is: how can we put more pressure on Russia? Then, of course we will also discuss our own defence. What more we can do to use the tools we already have and to make us all stronger. The strongest tool we have is our unity, so we need to work for that as Europe is facing all these threats coming our way.

Thank you. I am ready to take your questions.

Q&A. 

Q: Can you speak to the role that the United States must play in Ukraine and Russia peace talks?

The United States has called the talks and is doing the shuttle diplomacy. But right now, I think what we need is also Russia to agree to this ceasefire and to move on, to show goodwill by giving back the Ukrainian children that have been deported to Russia or releasing the prisoners of war – I mean [there are] many things that they can show. So, I think the United States also has the role to put more pressure on Russia to stop this war. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-270042