Zelensky to EU: We Seek Peace, But Not at Ukraine’s Expense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirms Ukraine’s commitment to peace but insists that it will not come at the cost of territorial concessions, urging the EU for continued support.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his country seeks peace, “but not at the expense of surrendering Ukraine.”

While speaking in Brussels, he mentioned that Ukrainian officials hope to meet with their US counterparts next week.

He also urges European leaders to back the measures he has proposed for establishing a “full and fair” peace, which includes an initial maritime truce and the halting of aerial attacks on civilian areas and energy infrastructure.

He previously expressed gratitude to other leaders for their support by saying, “Throughout this entire time and especially last week, you stood by us.”

At the same time, Russia reiterates its stance against European troops being stationed in Ukraine following any peace agreement, stating that it would constitute a “direct war.”

Expressions of support for Ukraine are a common occurrence at European summits. However, they probably offer much-needed reassurance to President Zelensky, who is present at today’s summit in Brussels, particularly following his challenging encounters in Washington recently.

He expressed gratitude to European leaders for demonstrating that his country is “not alone,” but emphasized the need for concrete action. These leaders are well aware they are confronting a crisis that seems existential not only for Ukraine, but also for the entire bloc.

With President Trump’s significant changes to US foreign policy and the threat posed by Russia, there is talk of a pivotal moment for Europe as it considers taking responsibility for its own security.

It is yet to be determined whether they have the capability to deliver.

In the meantime, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK and former commander-in-chief, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has accused the US of undermining the world order.

These comments might reignite a dispute with Washington that Zelensky has been attempting to resolve. Meanwhile, Russia appears to be taking pleasure in the divisions and continues to reaffirm its unaltered maximalist objectives.

As we’ve been reporting, Zelensky has recently turned to X to outline several steps he believes are essential for achieving lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.

The initial step he describes involves establishing a ceasefire in both air and sea operations.

The following step involves releasing prisoners as a way to build trust.

He emphasizes the importance of having “basic trust” in ongoing negotiations and highlights that releasing prisoners could help build that foundation.

Zelensky states that any ceasefire or trust-building initiatives should be seen as the preliminary steps towards achieving a complete and just resolution, culminating in a thorough security agreement and an end to the war.

The President of Ukraine expressed his gratitude for the support received so far, noting that his people value Europe’s genuine efforts to “do the right thing.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky, after meeting with European leaders in Brussels today, stated that while his country desires peace, it will not come at the expense of relinquishing Ukraine.

In a recent post on X, the Ukrainian president urged European countries to keep including Ukraine in peace negotiations. He also expressed support for the “ReArm Europe Plan,” which we discussed earlier.

The Ukrainian leader also appreciates the efforts of various countries to boost their defense spending.

He mentions that Kyiv has been pursuing peace “from the very start of the war.”

We’ll share more details about his post with you soon—please stay tuned.

During a summit in Brussels focused on the war in Ukraine, EU leaders have renewed their commitments to enhancing European security. Here are some of the latest announcements:

According to the prime minister, Belgium plans to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in 2026.

Croatia has designated 2% of its budget for defense, with 30% specifically earmarked for military modernization. Additionally, the country plans to raise its defense budget to €2.67 billion (£2.23 billion) by 2027.

Slovenia and Norway have committed to increasing their defense spending.

The leader of Lithuania suggested that Ukraine should join the EU on January 31, 2030.

According to Sweden’s foreign minister, the country intends to deploy up to eight Gripen fighter jets as part of a NATO mission aimed at monitoring and protecting Poland’s airspace.

The UK government revealed new contracts valued at nearly £30 million to provide Ukraine with attack drones, which are specifically designed for area monitoring before a strike.

According to British officials, as mentioned earlier, 20 countries are reportedly interested in joining a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine.