The situation on the battlefield in Ukraine “is changing, thanks to the courage of Kyiv’s armed forces,” said European Council President Antonio Costa at a press conference in Dublin today.

“We will continue to do everything necessary,” he added, “to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Europe’s support for Ukraine and our sustained pressure on Russia have played a crucial role.”

“Over the next six months, under Irish leadership, we will continue to pursue this dual strategy, because Russia must understand that time is running out and that it must move from the battlefield to the negotiating table,” Costa concluded.