Aside from the regular efforts conducted by Luxembourg’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Asselborn, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel is also actively working on a diplomatic end to the conflict in Ukraine.
After his phone call with President Putin, the politician from the Democratic Party strongly condemned Russia’s military intervention in an official statement. The relationship between Ukraine and its neighbour has continuously deteriorated since 2015. There are no winners in a war, Bettel noted, and it is clear that an independent country like Ukraine will seek to defend itself.
The Prime Minister also stressed that the humanitarian situation is turning into a catastrophe and that bombings have to stop immediately. Peace negotiations have to continue at the highest levels, which is why Bettel encouraged Putin to establish direct contact with Ukraine’s President Zelensky.
Neither Bettel nor the government have since revealed how the Russian President responded to the idea. There is also no information on how Russia perceives Luxembourg’s position towards them and the war. However, officials announced that both parties will continue to remain in regular contact.
After the phone call, Bettel also took to social media to provide a short summary of his conversation with the Russian president.
Bettel also called with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Bettel agreed with Zelensky on the need to put an end to the ongoing Russian attacks and to establish a ceasefire as soon as possible – this also to allow humanitarian corridors to remain open and above all respected.
The Prime Minister reiterated his support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The Prime Minister also underlined the solidarity of Luxembourg - and above all of the people of Luxembourg - towards people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Both parties would continue to remain in contact.
