BRUSSELS, March 5. /TASS/. The extraordinary summit of the 27 EU member states scheduled for March 6 will be held amid a change in the US position on the Ukrainian conflict, a senior EU official told reporters ahead of the meeting.
"The context of the extraordinary summit is the situation in Ukraine, taking into account the US position, which has changed. This is the starting point," he said.
According to the diplomat, the EU takes into account the fact that "the US is engaged in talks with Russia." "These talks could affect the situation in Ukraine. We see the intention of the US to expand these talks," he emphasized.
The EU official pointed out that the change in the US position does not affect the EU's position in Ukraine. "Our strategy remains unchanged, but now we have a greater responsibility," he added.
"We have to become more independent and strengthen our defense. We have a general understanding that this was not done enough in the past," the diplomat said. According to him, as for support for Ukraine, the EU leaders intend to reaffirm the EU's commitment to "peace through strength" at the summit's outcome. When asked by reporters how the EU intends to counter Hungary's potential veto on the issue, the source said that "the EU leader will do his best to achieve unity."