EU, NATO offer fresh backing to Zelensky through the ‘Willing’ group

Brussels – The desire to reaffirm unwavering support for Ukraine, and to show that the European Union and NATO continue to play a role in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Euro-Atlantic diplomacy is in motion, in a frantic attempt to hold on to a situation that, however, is being managed by the United States. It is the White House that is pulling the strings for a possible end to the war, with peace proposals that remain less than fully convincing.

 The “coalition of the willing” meets in London, where British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes the leaders of France, Germany, and Ukraine to assess the situation. The Western bloc maintains its stance: Downing Street reiterates that a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, along with solid security guarantees, remains essential for ending hostilities. Strengthening Ukraine’s negotiating position is also imperative.​

 The show of European support came after harsh criticism from US President Donald Trump, who said he was “a little disappointed” by Zelensky, and accused the Ukrainian president of not having read the US proposal for a peace agreement. 

There is not only military and political support. Financial support is also on the table, with the proposed use of Russian assets frozen in Europe, on which the leaders reiterated the urgency of reaching decisions, but not without tension. The French president is reportedly trying not to touch the €18 billion of Russian assets frozen on French territory, which makes it even more complicated to break down Belgian resistance. 

EU heads of state and government will meet in Brussels on 18 and 19 December, where they are expected to approve a solution to Ukraine’s liquidity problems. Meanwhile, diplomacy continues. Following a London meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will host Zelensky, European Council President António Costa, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his official residence. This meeting will once again reaffirm the intention to halt Putin’s expansion in Ukraine and guarantee Euro-Atlantic prospects for Kyiv.

For von der Leyen, it is instead an opportunity to reiterate that they intend to go ahead as planned: “Guaranteeing financial support will help to ensure the survival of Ukraine and is a crucial act for European defence,” she argues. “Our loan proposal for reparations is complex, but in essence, it increases the cost of the war for Russia.”