“We reaffirmed to President Zelenskyy that the EU remains steadfast and committed to its principles. Ukraine’s sovereignty must be respected. Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed, in the long term, as a first line of defense for our Union,” she said.
Throughout the peace talks, von der Leyen reiterated, “the EU remains ironclad in its support for Ukraine,” noting that financing proposals are already “on the table.”
“The goal is a strong Ukraine, on the battlefield and at the negotiating table,” she said, adding that these priorities were central to her discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
European Council President Antonio Costa echoed von der Leyen’s remarks.
Rutte called his discussions with Zelenskyy and EU leaders on establishing peace in Ukraine “fruitful.”
On December 8, Zelenskyy met with Rutte, Costa and von der Leyen to brief them on the progress of negotiations with the United States. The leaseds discussed in detail work with U.S. partners on steps toward peace, security guarantees and strengthening stability.
Earlier that day, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Downing Street to discuss the U.S. peace plan.