The European Commission calls the plan from US President Trump a welcome “start,” but points out many questions remain unanswered. Von der Leyen sees progress but no agreement close to completion yet. The EU first wants clarity on the possible consequences for Ukraine.
Although Brussels studies where the American plan offers progress, Europeans distance themselves from the political direction the plan pursues. European leaders do not want an arrangement in which Russia would be ‘compensated’ in any way. An agreement without Ukrainian consent is unacceptable for the EU.
According to Von der Leyen, there are “no real signs” that Moscow wants to end the violence. Therefore, pressure on Russia must be maintained fully. For that reason, she insists that the seized Russian bank assets may be used for this purpose.
For Brussels one principle remains unchanged: borders must not be changed through violence. Von der Leyen warns that accepting territorial changes would open the door to future conflicts. She rejects any arrangement in which Ukrainian borders are altered.
The Commission reiterates that the interests of Ukraine and Europe are inextricably linked. Ukrainian security is described as European security. For this reason, the European Parliament has approved a plan to invest 1.5 billion euros in building a joint European defense industry. Part of this, 300 million euros, is intended for military support to Ukraine.
Lengthy negotiations took place last year among EU countries about the accession criteria. Due to the Russian war against Ukraine and the wavering and eroding support from the current president of NATO-partner United States, European countries want to take more control themselves.
France advocated for a stricter 'buy European' policy to stimulate its own European Defence and arms industry, while countries like the Netherlands supported more flexibility in procuring weapons from the United States, Great Britain, and other non-EU countries.