Vatican City, April 27, 2025 – The Europe Today: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held an important meeting on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral in Vatican City on April 26, 2025. The meeting was part of a series of diplomatic encounters Zelenskyy had with key global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who all attended the funeral.
In a post to social media following the meeting, von der Leyen expressed Europe’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, stating, “Europe will always stand by Ukraine in the pursuit of peace.” She reaffirmed Europe’s steadfast support for Ukraine as it seeks to end Russia’s ongoing war against the country, offering continued backing in negotiations for a just and lasting peace.
The leaders also discussed Ukraine’s progress toward European Union membership, with von der Leyen highlighting the ongoing cooperation between Ukraine and the EU, particularly within the framework of the ReArm Europe initiative. This initiative, which aims to protect the region from Russian aggression, was a focal point of the discussions.
“We talked about steps that will help protect the lives of Ukrainians, restore security, and bring an unconditional ceasefire closer,” President Zelenskyy said, underscoring the importance of continued international collaboration in securing Ukraine’s future.
A key point of their conversation was the preparation of the European Union’s 17th sanctions package against Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of targeting crucial sectors of the Russian economy to further pressure Moscow into restoring peace.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has intensified efforts toward reaching a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, with reports suggesting the US may offer significant concessions to Ukraine, such as de jure recognition of Russia’s control of Crimea. However, many European leaders, including those from the UK, France, and the Baltic States, have maintained a strong stance in support of Ukraine, urging a resolute response against Russia’s actions.
In a joint statement released on April 25, the chairs of the foreign affairs committees of the UK, France, Czechia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine called for an end to the policy of appeasement and reiterated the need for a united front against Russia’s actions. “We urge an end to the policy of appeasement and call instead for a united, resolute stance against Russia’s terrorist regime,” the statement read.
The meeting between Zelenskyy and von der Leyen underscores the ongoing and pivotal role of European support in Ukraine’s efforts to defend its sovereignty and achieve a lasting peace.
