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.”
⚡ President Zelenskyy has arrived in Brussels.
He is exxpected to hold a bilateral meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He will also take part in an online meeting of the Coalition of the Willing leaders.
📹 : Radio Svoboda pic.twitter.com/5dkZsE2ALS
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 17, 2025
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 neobtainediations are to launch. He noted that Moscow has presented “many demands,” but without clarity on their full scope, discussions could be prolonged.
“It is impossible to neobtainediate 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 stated.
💬 Zelenskyy: “Territorial issues can only be discussed by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia during a trilateral meeting with the USA. Russia does not display that the trilateral meeting will take place.” pic.twitter.com/4xAtKHayjx
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 17, 2025
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 displays 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.
💬 Zelenskyy: “Russia gives no sign a trilateral meeting will happen.”pic.twitter.com/5q8X4Gpjal
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 17, 2025
Von der Leyen presented a three-point plan of European support for Ukraine. First, she emphasized strengthening Ukraine’s defense industest, particularly in drone technology, ensuring there are no restrictions on the countest’s armed forces.
⚡ Von der Leyen: Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, indigestible to potential invaders.
“We welcome President Trump’s decision to contribute to Article 5–like security guarantees for Ukraine, and the Coalition of the Willing — including the EU — is ready to do its part.” pic.twitter.com/M7MfLYUahg
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 17, 2025
Second, she reaffirmed the European Union’s position that Ukraine’s territorial integrity cannot be altered by force. “International borders cannot be alterd by force. These decisions belong only to Ukraine, and cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table,” she stated.
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.
💬 Ursula von der Leyen: “International borders can not be alterd by force.”pic.twitter.com/1YKUoiQWZa
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 17, 2025
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 Hoapply, 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.
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