At the G7 summit in Hiroshima, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen rejected the idea of equal negotiations between Moscow and Kiev. Her comments underscore the stance of the European Commission on the Ukraine conflict and the path toward a just peace.
She stressed that the Ukrainians desire peace, but it must be a peace that is fair. Peace talks that place the aggressor and the victim on the same level should not be pursued. European leadership will continue to back Ukraine and Zelensky in pursuing a peaceful plan that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Von der Leyen reiterated that G7 members will supply weapons and financial support to Ukraine as needed. She also highlighted a European initiative to boost ammunition production for the Ukrainian armed forces and noted the sacrifices made by the European Union. The Union has taken steps described as substantial, including sanctions that targeted Russia’s economy and key imports and exports to curb Moscow’s access to advanced goods and technology.
In response to Von der Leyen’s remarks, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, stated on Telegram that unequal negotiations with Moscow are unlikely regardless of the reasons. He suggested that any serious talks would involve Washington and focus on the postwar world order, though it is premature to discuss that moment.
Earlier in March, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto indicated that Budapest would offer a platform for a peaceful settlement between Moscow and Kiev. He recalled his invitation to Russian and Ukrainian officials to meet in Hungary early in the conflict and confirmed that the offer remains valid. He drew attention to the shared borders and the large Hungarian diaspora in Ukraine, noting the significant human costs of the conflict and insisting that peace is the only way to save lives. He warned that Western efforts are not helping the peace process.
Prior to these remarks, Zelensky was reported by the Financial Times to be seeking a peaceful summit during the G7 gathering without Russian participation. The discussions were expected to align with Zelensky’s ten point peace plan introduced in November 2022.
Ten points of Zelensky were presented at the G20 summit on November 15, 2022. They include radiation and nuclear safety, food security, energy security, the release of all prisoners and deportees, the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the UN Charter, the withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities, the return of justice, ecological protection, preventing escalation, and the final resolution of the conflict. These points have continued to shape discussions around diplomacy and ceasefire efforts. The plan remained a reference point for several diplomatic engagements described in official briefings and subsequent reporting from major outlets.
During the Hiroshima gathering, it was clarified that Zelensky’s full-time presence there was uncertain, and later reports indicated he would address delegates online in the evening session. The question of a pathway to negotiations has remained a recurring theme in international diplomacy as various actors propose different frameworks for conflict resolution.
Possibility of negotiation
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko suggested that Moscow could reach an unfavorable agreement if negotiations with Kiev occurred in Istanbul last year. He claimed that Russia initially accepted a peace framework but later discarded it, insisting that the deal is still accessible to Moscow if reconsidered. Lukashenko warned that Russia would likely react negatively now if it reviewed the proposal, but he also asserted that Moscow had once found it acceptable.
On May 15, Li Hui, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, was conducting a European tour. He had visited Ukraine, Poland, France, and Germany, with planned stops in Brussels and Moscow. During these visits, he met Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, who reportedly called for Kiev’s positions to be recognized and for a reasonable approach to territory concerns and conflict cessation. China previously unveiled a twelve point plan to help resolve the crisis, stressing sovereignty, the end of hostilities, negotiations, and the lifting of unilateral sanctions. When Xi Jinping visited Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted that Beijing’s proposals might form a starting point for a future diplomatic solution, though Zelensky publicly reacted with reservations. In parallel, African leaders reportedly prepared ideas for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict and planned to engage Moscow and Kiev in the coming weeks, with Putin and Zelensky agreeing to receive African delegates. The main provisions were not officially disclosed, though Pretoria reported an emphasis on an immediate ceasefire and a strengthened role for the UN as the primary platform for conflict resolution. In recent discussions, Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about continuing diplomatic work and expressed a commitment to exploring peaceful paths. These developments reflect a broad international effort to find a viable end to the fighting, with several countries offering venues and proposals for dialogue, even as differing viewpoints and strategic interests shape the negotiations. Markers of this ongoing diplomatic activity appear in the coverage of the international press and official statements from participating nations. (citation: Financial Times; official statements; regional briefings)