Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels to meet with European leaders, aiming to secure stronger backing for Ukraine’s defense as questions grow over the future of U.S. support under President-elect Donald Trump.
With Trump set to take office next month, European leaders are worried that the U.S. may reduce its military assistance to Ukraine. Zelensky’s visit signals the need for Europe to play a more active role in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
During the December 18 meeting, Zelensky asked for more air defense systems to help protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has been heavily targeted by Russian forces. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the main goal is to ensure Ukraine has the resources it needs to remain strong in the fight. “The priority is to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to stop Putin from winning,” Rutte explained.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made it clear that only Ukraine should decide when and how to negotiate with Russia. He emphasized that Europe must not pressure Ukraine into a peace agreement that doesn’t respect its sovereignty. “Ukraine must not accept a peace dictated by Russia,” Scholz said.
The talks also focused on security guarantees for Ukraine in case of a ceasefire and how to monitor any potential peace deal. Some leaders suggested the idea of sending a peacekeeping force, though no decisions were made.
The meeting highlighted growing concerns in Europe about Ukraine’s future defense and the possibility of the U.S. scaling back its support. With the war in Ukraine still ongoing, European leaders are looking for ways to ensure Kyiv’s resilience and strengthen its position in the conflict.
The discussions included officials from Germany, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, and other EU institutions. France and the UK were represented by their foreign ministers. This meeting shows Europe’s determination to remain united in supporting Ukraine despite the uncertainty surrounding U.S. leadership.
