Sanctions on Russia stay in place for 'just, lasting' peace in Ukraine, says EU Commission president

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Sanctions on Russia will stay in place for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday.

Speaking after a meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing in Paris, she presented three key takeaways.

She said Ukraine’s military and financial needs to be fulfilled, pressure on Russia needs to be maintained and there must be long-term support for Kyiv.

"It was very clear that the sanctions stay in place. What we want is a just and lasting peace agreement. That is the goal,” Von der Leyen said.

“And the third key takeaway was on the long-term support for Ukraine and our own European defense posture,” she added.

The EU Commission president also emphasized that the 27-member bloc has to develop its defense industrial base for a credible deterrence and defense posture.