Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, held a meeting with the US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg. She reiterated the European Union’s backing for Kyiv.
Their meeting came as the top delegates of Washington and Moscow held discussions in Saudi Arabia on mending relations and ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting is taking place in the absence of Ukraine and EU delegates.
Von der Leyen
“reiterated that the solution has to be in line with Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, underpinned by strong security guarantees,”
A meeting statement said.
She also
“announced the EU’s willingness to cooperate with the US in order to put an end to the violence and help achieve the just and lasting peace that Ukraine and its citizens deserve.”
In the conversation with Kellogg, von der Leyen
“underscored the EU’s key role in guaranteeing Ukraine’s defense and financial stability, at a total of €135 billion (around $145 billion) — more than any other ally.”
“This includes $52 billion in military assistance, matching US contributions.”
President von der Leyen further stressed that the European Union is carrying its full share of military aid to Ukraine and stands prepared to do even more.
Important discussion with @generalkellogg on Ukraine.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 18, 2025
Financially and militarily, Europe has brought more to the table than anyone else. And we will step up.
We want to partner with the US to deliver a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
Now is a critical moment.
Why are European leaders alarmed by Trump’s plans?
According to experts, European Union countries and Ukraine are bothered by the prospect of the US and Russia seeking a peace settlement bilaterally. In order to rev the talks process with Moscow, the Trump government has outlined an agenda that would exclude Ukraine from NATO, present Russia territorial concessions, and shut the door on US participation in future peacekeeping operations.
Analysts say it remains ambiguous how Europe will engage the US after Trump shocked Ukraine and European partners by bringing Putin in from the cold. European heads held emergency talks that urged higher spending to increase the continent’s defence abilities.
The leaders also arranged it would be difficult to conclude a Ukraine ceasefire without a peace deal at the same time, and that they were willing to provide security assurances to Ukraine
“depending on the level of American support”,
A European official stated. British PM Keir Starmer stated he was willing to dispatch peacekeeping troops, and there must be a U.S. security “backstop” for European nations to place boots on the ground.
