Zelensky: US-EU unity, necessary to stop Putin

2024-12-19 15:05:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Zelensky: US-EU unity, necessary to stop Putin

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky

During meetings with European Union leaders today in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the United States and Europe to work together to stop Russia amid concerns that a possible withdrawal of US aid to Kiev could undermine Ukrainian efforts in the fight against Russia. European leaders demanded that any initiative to end the war in Ukraine must include Kiev and respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that only the alliance between the United States and Russia can stop Russia and save his country, in a message to US President-elect Donald Trump, amid his calls for an end to the war.

"Unity between the United States, the European Union and the countries of Europe is very necessary. We need this unity to achieve peace, and I think that only together the United States and Europe can really stop Putin and save Ukraine," President Zelensky declared before giving a speech to EU leaders at the beginning of the meeting. of the EU, whose agenda is being dominated by the war in Ukraine.

European diplomats say the bloc's leaders aim to send a clear message to Mr Trump about their continued support for Ukraine. They will stress that Ukraine must be included in a possible peace deal and that the deal must respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.

The new president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said that the war "is not only for Ukraine and the European Union, but for international law". He said that the EU will commit to a just and long-term peace.

"We must be very clear about Ukraine. We will fully support you with everything at our disposal and for as long as it takes. Now in war and in the future, in peace. We want to welcome you here one day as a member of the European Union", he declared.

President-elect Trump has repeatedly called for a quick end to the war. Earlier in the week, he said President Zelensky should be open to a peace deal with Russian President Putin, although he did not say whether that meant Kiev would have to cede territory to Moscow as part of the settlement.

Russian forces currently occupy a fifth of Ukraine and are advancing in its eastern part.

The draft EU statement states that "Russia must not win", adding that no initiative on Ukraine should be taken without the participation of Kiev.

President Zelensky's attendance at the EU meeting follows talks he held with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other European leaders on Wednesday aimed at securing immediate aid for Kiev and long-term security guarantees.

Although European leaders say they are focusing on Ukraine's immediate needs, some officials have already begun discussing what security measures will look like for Ukraine after the war ends.

EU leaders are expected to discuss other issues, relations with the United States, amid concerns about a possible trade war between them./VOA