Zelenskyy in Brussels to discuss security guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on Wednesday to shore up support from European allies ahead of United States President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

In a brief appearance with the Ukrainian president Wednesday evening, NATO chief Mark Rutte emphasized that Ukraine’s partners plan to continue supplying the country with weapons to support its defense in the ongoing war with Russia.

According to Rutte, the priority during Zelenskyy’s Brussels visit is doing “everything,” including providing air defense and other weapons systems, to ensure that Ukraine is in the “best possible position one day, when they decide so, to start the peace talks” with Moscow.

Assurances of continued military support are especially critical for Ukraine now with Trump’s imminent return to Washington.

The president-elect has made clear that his administration will expect Europe to take the lead in supporting Ukraine’s defense and oversee any future cease-fire deal between Kyiv and Moscow, a stark contrast to current President Joe Biden’s position. Trump is set to return to the White House on Jan. 20, leaving Zelenskyy only a few weeks to ensure that European allies are prepared to take over as Ukraine’s chief supporters.

Rutte is just one of a string of European leaders the Ukrainian president is meeting as he seeks to firm up support from allies.

Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the day and plans to meet with several other leaders, including from Germany, Italy and Poland, as well as European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen while in Brussels. 

“It’s a very good opportunity to speak about security guarantees for Ukraine for today and for tomorrow,” Zelenskyy said, adding that he plans to use his two days in Brussels to ensure that Ukraine’s partners “have the same joint position” in their approach toward the country’s defense.