Dublin, Nov. 13 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserted on Friday that Europe's inclusion in ongoing Ukraine peace negotiations is "self-explanatory" to protect the bloc's security interests, while announcing that Brussels will unveil a 22nd sanctions package against Russia alongside a 2027 financing plan for Kyiv later this month.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Informal European Council summit in Dublin, von der Leyen welcomed recent diplomatic momentum, including a prisoner exchange, and underscored that European leaders must have a direct voice at the negotiating table as talks progress.

"We will also discuss the peace talks. I welcome the exchange of prisoners, and I think it is self-explanatory that Europ...