European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged in a statement that "Ukraine must have the freedom" to chose its "own destiny", adding that the EU's involvement in helping secure and maintain peace in Ukraine must be acknowledged and integrated into Ukraine's peace plans. "The centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected," von der Leyen said, as she set out other key elements for any sustainable and lasting peace agreement in Ukraine.

This comes as Ukraine peace talks between Washington, Ukraine, and its European allies are under way on Sunday in Geneva, Switzerland.

EU SETS OUT ITS KEY CONDITIONS

Speaking from Johannesburg Von der Leyen called for an end to the killing in Ukraine in a message to those meeting in parallel in Switzerland

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