EU welcome to Zelensky marks split with US under Trump: “You’re always welcome here”

Brussels – “We are not alone. We know it, and we feel it.” Ukraine and the European Union are indeed close and friendly realities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to emphasize this with gratitude and the need to reassure the Ukrainian people, humiliated by US President Donald Trump. The break with the White House induces the EU to give him the best possible welcome, carefully planned in every detail. Zelensky is not only invited to attend the summit of EU heads of state and government in person, but he is given the opportunity to stand out.

The European Commission and Council presidents, Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, welcome him together. Together, they quietly stay and talk, relaxed despite the situation, with smiles and friendly tones, all in front of the cameras so that everyone can see the pleasant atmosphere. It is impossible to know what they said to each other because they are away from the microphones, but the internal cameras linger the whole time on the trio, who take their time before addressing the press.

“Dear Volodymyr, you are always welcome here in Brussels,” the first sentence uttered by Costa. It was a way to show the difference between the welcome he received across the Atlantic and the one in Europe. “We are here to support Ukraine, and we will do so in the future, for negotiations, when you decide it is time,” Costa continued. Another valuable statement to show how different the way of doing things is in Europe compared to the Trump administration. Then, the public pledge on behalf of the 27 member states: “Strengthening our defense means strengthening Ukraine’s defense.”

Von der Leyen also confirmed the EU’s unconditional support to Zelensky: “Ukraine is part of our European family,” she said, referring to an enlargement process that promises Kyiv a twelve-star future, but not only that. “It is very important to show that we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

It is not surprising that in the end, Zelensky wants to say “thank you to European leaders for this message and this strong support” shown to Ukraine. Europe, unlike others, has clear ideas and different ways of doing things.