Ukraine faces ‘painful concessions’ on path to peace, Czech president says

Speaking at a press briefing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pavel admitted that a peace settlement would be impossible without U.S. participation but insisted that European nations must not stand aside.

“I believe there are a number of painful concessions in [the peace plan] that Ukraine must make and is ready to make if it leads to peace,” he said.

Pavel urged continued European support to ensure these efforts bear fruit. “Ukraine has done a great deal to make the proposed solution acceptable,” he added.

In the joint statement, Pavel said Ukraine needs ongoing military and economic backing while Russia faces additional pressure, including new sanctions.

“I am confident that the efforts personally undertaken by the [Ukrainian] president will soon lead to a unified U.S. and European position in the peace talks,” he said.

“We will then be able to apply joint pressure on Russia, which will finally begin negotiating. So far, we see that willingness only from Ukraine.”

The two leaders also discussed key EU initiatives, including the recently approved EUR90 billion ($104 billion) Ukraine aid package. Zelenskyy expressed hope for Ukraine’s significant role in the EU’s SAFE defense program, praising cooperation on arms production, particularly artillery and drones, and noted the importance of the PURL program (NATO’s mechanism for purchasing U.S.-made arms) for Ukraine’s defense capabilities.