Zelenskyy and von der Leyen Meet Ahead of Washington Visit: “Ukraine Must Become Steel Porcupine”

On August 17, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, where the two leaders held talks before addressing the media.

According to their joint press conference in Brussels, von der Leyen welcomed Zelenskyy at the European Commission headquarters, after which they posed for official photographs. Later in the day, both leaders were scheduled to participate in a virtual session of the “Coalition of the Willing.”

During a joint press conference, Zelenskyy stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin must halt attacks on civilians and stop hostilities on the frontline if any real negotiations are to begin. He noted that Moscow has presented “many demands,” but without clarity on their full scope, discussions could be prolonged.

“It is impossible to negotiate under the pressure of weapons. A cease-fire is necessary, followed by work on a final agreement. We will address this in Washington. Putin does not want to stop the killings, but he must do so,” Zelenskyy said.

The president also stressed that any territorial issues could only be discussed by Ukraine and Russia in a trilateral format with the United States. “Russia shows no indication that such a trilateral meeting will happen,” he added, underlining that Putin has failed to achieve control of Donetsk region over the past 12 years.

Von der Leyen presented a three-point plan of European support for Ukraine. First, she emphasized strengthening Ukraine’s defense industry, particularly in drone technology, ensuring there are no restrictions on the country’s armed forces.

Second, she reaffirmed the European Union’s position that Ukraine’s territorial integrity cannot be altered by force. “International borders cannot be changed by force. These decisions belong only to Ukraine, and cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table,” she said.

Finally, she pledged continued economic and diplomatic pressure on Russia, noting that the EU has already adopted 18 sanctions packages and is preparing the 19th.

Von der Leyen also highlighted Ukraine’s path toward EU membership as a key element of long-term security. “Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, indigestible to potential invaders,” she remarked, adding that Europe will remain committed to both Ukraine’s defense and its integration into the Union.

Zelenskyy concluded by stating that the strongest security guarantee for Ukraine is a powerful Ukrainian army, supported by its partners.

Earlier, Zelenskyy confirmed he would travel to Washington on August 18 to meet President Trump at the White House, joined by European leaders and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. According to von der Leyen, who met Zelenskyy in Brussels on August 17, she will accompany him to the talks, where leaders including Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, and the UK’s Keir Starmer are also expected to participate.

DEFENSE

Support the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Donate Towards Robots, as Well as Other Military Equipment and Supplies to Help Ukraine’s Defenders Fight Off Russian Invaders

Donate