In a joint press conference in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. Their statements emphasized a unified front and a clear position on the ongoing peace process.
EU’s Unwavering Support
Von der Leyen stated that the EU will continue to help Ukraine “for as long as it is needed.” She underscored the importance of strong security guarantees for protecting both Ukrainian sovereignty and broader European security. She also stressed that “international borders cannot be changed by force” and that any decisions on Ukrainian territories must be made solely by Ukraine with its full participation in all talks.
Zelenskyy’s Call for Unity and a Trilateral Summit
For his part, Zelenskyy called for a strong European unity, as strong as it was at the start of the war in 2022. He stated that any territorial demands from Russia must be carefully considered and that the “pressure of weapons” in the process cannot be accepted.
He also emphasized that a trilateral summit between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. is essential for a resolution. He noted that if Russia continues to show no readiness for such a meeting, “new sanctions” must follow. Zelenskyy also thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his cooperation with Europe on security guarantees, but added that the details of how those guarantees will function are not yet clear. He concluded by saying that he views EU membership as a crucial security guarantee, likening it to NATO’s Article 5.
