EU leaders agree key principles on Syria but caution: 'The jury is still out'

The European Union has opened the door for sanctions relief on Syria after Assad's fall but without providing a specific timeline.

Transcript

00:00EU leaders met with Ukrainian President Zelensky for a two-day summit in Brussels, where they

00:09sought to guarantee Ukraine's security ahead of the incoming Trump administration.

00:15It's widely expected that Donald Trump will force Europe to take far more of the burden

00:19for its own security, including that of Ukraine's.

00:23But leaders were also clear that this could not mean pushing Ukraine into an unjust ceasefire.

00:29The European Union stands united in its support to Ukraine to win a comprehensive, just and

00:37lasting peace.

00:40Not any peace, not capitulation.

00:44Only Ukraine, as the aggressor country, can legitimately define what peace means and if

00:55and when the conditions are met for credible negotiations.

01:01The EU also gave cautious welcome to the fall of Assad in Syria, but said time will tell

01:06as to whether Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group which has emerged, will keep up to its claims

01:11that it will respect minorities and act responsibly in the region.

01:17With the fall of Assad for the very first time in a decade, the people of Syria can

01:22hope for a better future.

01:24But we all know that for now the jury is still out.

01:29It is too early to say whether the new leadership will be able to deliver what they promise,

01:36whether the territorial integrity will be preserved, national unity will be preserved,

01:43and minorities will be protected.

01:47Europe will do its part to support Syria at this critical juncture because we care about

01:53Syria's future.

01:55As much as EU leaders sought to reassure President Zelensky that they would protect Ukraine come

01:59what may, it's clear that the EU is still in a position to wait and see what Donald

02:05Trump will do regarding the fate of Ukraine, the future of Europe, and other geopolitical

02:10matters including Syria.

02:12Shona Murray, Euronews, Brussels.