Von der Leyen urges security guarantees to make Ukraine 'steel porcupine'

Von der Leyen wrote about this on social media platform X.

“Putin must come to the negotiating table. We must secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine with firm and credible security guarantees that will turn the country into a steel porcupine,” she emphasized.

She noted that “Europe will fully play its part.”

“Our defense instrument SAFE, for example, will be important to strengthening the brave Ukrainian armed forces” the European Commission president added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the conversation with von der Leyen.

He thanked her for condolences and solidarity with Ukrainians after Russia’s cynical and brutal strike. 

“We discussed our diplomatic efforts to stop the killings, to stop this unprovoked Russian aggression, and to guarantee real security for our people. There is much work at different levels precisely for this. But until Russia takes real steps toward peace, pressure on it must increase. Ursula spoke about the preparation of the EU’s 19th sanctions package and coordination with other partners,” Zelenskyy said.

According to him, the discussion also touched on Ukraine’s path toward EU integration and the simultaneous opening of an accession negotiation cluster for Ukraine and Moldova.

“We expect a positive decision in the near future,” Zelenskyy concluded.