No real intent in Moscow to engage in peace talks, says von der Leyen

The European Commission chief said the EU would stand with Ukraine and support it "in every way".

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Her comments came shortly before Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "premature" to speak about striking a peace deal.

Von der Leyen said Ukraine would need strong security guarantees capable of deterring any further attacks, arguing that Russia still upheld a post-World War Two mindset and saw the European continent as a "sphere of influence".

She was addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg as the US ramped up efforts to mediate a deal between Kyiv and Moscow.

Talks this week in Geneva and then Abu Dhabi have resulted in Ukraine agreeing to the "essence" of a peace deal, after changes were made to an initial 28-point plan widely criticised as heavily slanted towards Russia.