Zelenskyy urges Europe to remain united against Russia's 'anti-European' war in Ukraine

Russia’s strategy remains “anti-European,” and the continent needs to stand united in any further negotiations to stop Moscow's all-out war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Sunday.

The meeting between the two comes as a series of European leaders announced they will join his talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

"It's crucial that Europe is as united now as it was at the very beginning, as it was in 2022 when the full-scale war began," the Ukrainian leader said at a joint press conference with von der Leyen.

"First, we have to stop the killings ... Putin does not want to stop the killing, but he must do it," Zelenskyy emphasised, adding that it is necessary to have a ceasefire to start working on a final deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Putin has many demands but we do not know all of them. And if there are really as many as we heard, then it will take time to go through them all. It's impossible to do this under the pressure of weapons," Zelenskyy said, adding that this will be discussed in Washington.

So it's necessary to have a ceasefire and work quickly on a final deal,” he concluded.

The US president initially said he was going to discuss a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Alaska last Friday. He said that the ceasefire would allow for discussing the deal to put an end to Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

But after the Alaska summit, Trump did not mention the possibility of a ceasefire and said that he would want to discuss the deal straight away.

Kyiv and Ukraine’s European allies are concerned that this would buy time for Russia to continue its attacks against Ukraine while dragging on the negotiations with the Kremlin’s unrealistic maximalist demands, demonstrating once again its unwillingness to stop its war against Ukraine.

“We need real negotiations, which means they can start where the frontline is now. The contact line is the best line for talking,” Zelenskyy said.

Von der Leyen: Ukraine must become a steel porcupine

Kyiv’s European allies believe strong security guarantees must be given to protect both Ukraine and Europe, von der Leyen said.

Furthermore, Ukraine must be able to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and there must be no limitation on the Ukrainian armed forces.

"Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, undigestible to potential invaders," von der Leyen emphasised on Sunday.

As for questions on any territorial concessions, von der Leyen was adamant that any decisions remain solely in the hands of Ukraine and Ukrainians.

"Our position is clear: international borders cannot be changed by force; these are decisions to be made by Ukraine and Ukraine … and not without Ukraine at the table," the Commission president said.

Meanwhile, Europe will continue to put pressure on Russia’s war economy, with “a fresh package coming forth in September,” she added.

Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on Sunday for a meeting with von der Leyen before his trip to Washington on Monday.

The pair is also to join the virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Prior to the meeting on Sunday, von der Leyen said she would join Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday to participate in his meeting with US President Donald Trump, at the Ukrainian president's request.

The Commission president noted that other European leaders will also join the meeting, but it is not clear as of yet whether they will be travelling to Washington or joining virtually.

Starmer has announced he will be present at the meeting with Trump, according to Downing Street.

The UK prime minister "stands ready to support this next phase of further talks and will reaffirm that his backing for Ukraine will continue as long as it takes," his office said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Berlin said Merz will also be travelling to the US capital on Monday to join the talks.

"The trip will serve as an exchange of information with US President Donald Trump following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska," said the chancellor’s spokesperson.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also believed to be attending. Italian media say Meloni has cut her holiday short and returned to Rome on Sunday to prepare to travel to the United States.

Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Finnish President Alexander Stubb have all also confirmed their attendance.

The French president's office said in a statement Sunday that the leaders will be there to ensure "coordination between the Europeans and the United States with the goal of reaching a just and lasting peace that preserves the vital interests of Ukraine and Europe's security."

Zelenskyy’s White House visit is the first since February’s dramatic showdown in the Oval Office between the Ukrainian leader, Trump and US Vice President JD Vance.

The two then notably met for a sit-down conversation at the Vatican during the funeral service for late Pope Francis on 27 April, in what Zelenskyy said was their "best" exchange yet.