(ANSA) - BELGRADE, APR 23 - "Today, we took two significant steps towards achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. First, we strengthened Ukrainian forces' ability to fight and defend themselves. The second step was to increase pressure on Russia, urging it to seriously engage in peace talks. Now is the time to look ahead and prepare for the next step: the first round of talks for Kyiv's EU accession," European Council President Antonio Costa said during a press briefing with Volodymyr Zelensky and Ursula von der Leyen in Cyprus. (ANSA).