Putin not interested in peace, warns EPP chief

Manfred Weber, the president of the European People's Party (EPP), stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in stopping the war in Ukraine. In an interview, he described Putin as "playing" to gain time and strengthen his position on the battlefield. Weber said that Ukraine is ready for peace, but Putin's intentions are clear. He emphasized that the U.S. now realizes that Putin aims to conquer and occupy Ukraine. Recently, Putin proposed a partial ceasefire that would protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, but it fell short of the more comprehensive peace many are hoping for. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently discussed this partial truce with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Europe has been left out of key communications between these leaders. Weber urged that Europe and Ukraine must be part of any future discussions. He highlighted that the 27 EU leaders need to act quickly to prove their commitment to the situation. The upcoming EU summit will focus on strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities. A proposal was introduced to increase defense spending, which would not burden taxpayers but instead save money through joint purchasing. Weber suggested working together on projects like cyber defense and missile protection systems, emphasizing collective security. Weber, who is from Bavaria, is expected to be re-elected as EPP president in April without any challengers. He expressed confidence in his party's strong position in European politics, stating, "Today we are the strongest party of Europe."