Leaders of the European Union are set to convey a “clear signal” to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during a summit on Thursday, emphasizing their ongoing support for Ukraine. The discussions will also address the security and economic challenges anticipated with his return to the White House.
At the outset of their discussions in Brussels, the leaders are set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. They are expected to reiterate their steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine “for as long as it takes,” as outlined in draft conclusions.
Trump has consistently advocated for a rapid conclusion to the war that has persisted for nearly three years. On Monday, he stated that Zelenskiy should prepare for a peace agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, he refrained from clarifying whether this would involve Kyiv conceding territory to Moscow in any potential negotiated settlement.
Russian forces are now in control of almost 20% of Ukrainian territory and continue to make consistent progress in the eastern regions of the nation.
The draft conclusions from the EU assert that Russia should fail, emphasizing that any initiatives regarding Ukraine should involve the participation of Kyiv.
A diplomat from the European Union characterized the draft text as conveying “a clear signal to the U.S.”
During a lunch meeting, the leaders are set to address broader EU-U.S. relations, particularly in light of rising concerns regarding a potential transatlantic trade war.
Trump has warned that the European Union will face significant tariffs for failing to purchase sufficient U.S. exports. The individual has committed to imposing significant tariffs on three of the largest trading partners of the United States: Canada, Mexico, and China. The European Union is acutely aware that it will not escape unscathed.
Diplomatic sources within the European Union have indicated that maintaining unity among member states is crucial for the bloc. They emphasize the importance of preventing Washington from engaging in discussions or dealing with individual EU countries, drawing parallels to the essentially practical unified approach taken during the Brexit negotiations with Britain.
“The United States may pursue individual negotiations; however, thus far, it appears that countries are not readily accepting that approach,” remarked one EU diplomat.
The European Union aims to emphasize its position as the United States’ second-largest trading partner, highlighting the close alliance and shared values between the two entities. In light of Trump’s focus on the U.S. goods trade deficit, European Union officials have suggested the possibility of increasing purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas or arms.
