Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Brussels, emphasized the urgent need for functional security guarantees akin to NATO’s Article 5 collective defence clause. “We need security guarantees that work,” Zelensky stated, adding, “Russia cannot provide security guarantees.” He stressed the critical importance of European unity, saying, “It is essential that Europe remains united today as it was at the beginning, as it was in 2022 when large-scale war broke out. This unity genuinely contributes to achieving real peace and must remain strong.”
Addressing territorial integrity, Zelensky asserted that Russia had failed to conquer the Donetsk region over 12 years, noting Ukraine’s constitution prohibits ceding or exchanging territory. “Since the territorial issue is so important, it should only be discussed by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia within the framework of the trilateral summit,” he insisted. He called for substantive negotiations starting from the current frontline positions, stating, “We need real negotiations, which means they can start from where the front line is now,” and reiterated the need for a ceasefire to work swiftly towards a final agreement.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, told CNN that “the cession of Ukrainian territories will be discussed tomorrow at the White House” with Zelensky. Witkoff claimed the Alaska summit yielded “unprecedented security guarantees for the United States and Europe,” adding, “Putin guaranteed us he will not attack any other country or American assets once a peace deal with Ukraine is finalized.” Trump himself posted on Truth Social, “Big progress on Russia, stay tuned!”, and attacked “fake news and the extreme left,” claiming they would criticize any deal.
Zelensky cautioned that Russia has so far given no signal the trilateral summit will occur, warning, “If Russia refuses, new sanctions will be necessary.” He confirmed his readiness to meet with Trump and Putin.
Following talks with Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed hope for a Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit “as soon as possible.” She welcomed Trump’s offer of NATO-inspired security guarantees for Kyiv but emphasized, “There must be no limits on the Ukrainian armed forces, no restrictions on cooperation with third countries or receiving assistance from third countries. Ukraine must be a steel porcupine. Security guarantees must exist for the interests of both Ukraine and Europe.”
Zelensky’s Brussels visit precedes a video conference meeting of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ and his trip to Washington for talks with Trump tomorrow. Von der Leyen confirmed her participation in tomorrow’s meeting with Trump at Zelensky’s request. Leaders attending the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ video conference include Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
In related developments, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC News that a ceasefire in Ukraine is “not off the table” following the Alaska summit, stressing that “the primary goal is not a truce but peace.”