Zelenskyy, von der Leyen Discuss Ukraine's EU Accession, Ceasefire Plans

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed advancing Ukraine's accession to the EU, emphasizing the need to open negotiation clusters and remove obstacles promptly. Von der Leyen reiterated the EU's unwavering support and highlighted the importance of a genuine ceasefire to progress toward peace. She outlined three priorities for strengthening Ukraine: supporting its defense by integrating European and Ukrainian defense industries, phasing out Russian fossil fuels, and accelerating Ukraine's EU accession. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed cautious optimism about a ceasefire and peace negotiations but withheld security commitments until formal agreements are reached. Von der Leyen stressed that a just and lasting peace must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while warning against succumbing to Russian intimidation tactics. Together, these perspectives underscore Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine militarily, politically, and economically to ensure a durable peace and stability in the region.