'International borders cannot be changed by force,' — von der Leyen says in Brussels ahead of Trump meeting
International borders cannot be changed by force, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Aug. 17, stressing that decisions about Ukraine's territory "cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table."
Speaking at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels, von der Leyen also backed "Article 5-like security guarantees" for Ukraine, saying the country must become "a steel porcupine, indigestible for potential invaders."
Von der Leyen welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's potential willingness to contribute to such guarantees, adding that the European Union and members of the "coalition of the willing" were ready to do their part.
Von der Leyen said Europe would maintain and expand sanctions on Russia, with a 19th package expected in early September, while also boosting defense capabilities and Ukraine's defense industry, particularly in drones.
"As long as the bloodshed in Ukraine continues, Europe will maintain diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia," von der Leyen said.
Zelensky thanked Europe for its unity and underscored that it must remain strong. He added that Ukraine cannot negotiate under the pressure of weapons: "It's necessary to have a cease fire and work quickly on a final deal… Putin does not want to stop the killing – but he must do it."
The Ukrainian president reiterated that Kyiv would never cede territory, pointing to Ukraine's constitution and failed Russian offensives.
"Russia is still unsuccessful in Donetsk region. Putin has been unable to take it for 12 years and the constitution of Ukraine makes it impossible to give up territory or trade land," Zelensky said.
Zelensky stressed that decisions on territorial issues "should be discussed only by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia at a trilateral Ukraine–United States–Russia" meeting, adding that if Moscow refuses such talks, new sanctions must follow.
On security guarantees, Zelensky said he welcomed Trump's signals, saying Ukraine needs "security to work in practice like Article 5 of NATO." Zelensky added Kyiv would consider EU accession as part of security guarantees.
Zelensky arrived in Brussels earlier on Aug. 17 for a bilateral meeting with von der Leyen. Afterward, he is expected to join an online meeting of the "coalition of the willing" led by French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Von der Leyen is among the European leaders expected to join Zelensky in Washington on Aug. 18 for talks with Trump.
Also attending will be German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
European officials view the summit as pivotal to prevent Trump from conceding to Russian demands, including territorial concessions that Kyiv deems unacceptable, according to Politico.
The meeting follows Trump's Aug. 15 talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the U.S. leader said he would seek to bring Putin and Zelensky together for trilateral talks on a peace deal.
No breakthrough was achieved, but Putin received a red-carpet welcome that raised alarm among European allies.
