Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on EU leaders to enhance weapon supplies to Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia, as officials from Kyiv and Moscow prepared for new discussions with the United States next week.
Europe is racing to influence the outcome as US President Donald Trump pushes forward with negotiations with Russia regarding the cessation of its war on Ukraine, while top military officials convened in London to strategize on how to oversee any potential peace agreement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated afterward that the plans of the so-called “coalition of the willing” supporting Ukraine were “coming together”.
The meeting in London followed Mr. Zelensky’s video address to an EU summit in Brussels, where he asserted that “despite Putin’s words… nothing has changed”.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store address a press conference in Oslo
The Kremlin leader must “cease making unwarranted demands that only extend the war,” he added, urging the EU to increase arms deliveries and sustain sanctions.
In Norway, Zelensky mentioned that Ukrainian and US officials would convene in Saudi Arabia on Monday to advance US-led efforts aimed at swiftly concluding the Russian invasion, which is now entering its fourth year.
The Kremlin previously confirmed that Russian officials would also have discussions with the US side in Saudi Arabia on the same day.
Power plants
Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Putin both engaged in discussions with Mr. Trump this week and have signaled their willingness to pause attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days.
However, fighting has persisted without abatement. Both nations reported a surge of new drone strikes overnight, leaving uncertainty about the specifics of any enduring peace arrangement.
Mr. Trump, who has caused concern among European and NATO allies with his overtures to Mr. Putin and a tepid approach to European security, suggested last night that the United States might take control of and manage Ukraine’s power plants.
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Yet today, Mr. Zelensky downplayed the idea, stating that he could not legally negotiate the ownership of the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station.
“If they wish to reclaim it from the Russians, if they desire to modernize it, invest — that’s a different matter, an open question that we can discuss,” Mr. Zelensky remarked.
Mr. Putin has made the cessation of further Western military aid to Ukraine a crucial condition for Russia agreeing to a long-term ceasefire.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to military commanders at a base in London
Meanwhile, around 30 military leaders from countries eager to help establish any lasting ceasefire in Ukraine gathered at a military base near London.
Following the meeting, Mr. Starmer reported progress, stating that discussions were centered on transforming the “political intention” of security guarantees for Ukraine into “reality”.
“Whether that involves what may occur at sea or in the air or the defense of borders, those plans are coming together,” he informed several military commanders present and British soldiers at the base.
Mr. Starmer has led international initiatives alongside French President Emmanuel Macron to monitor any truce in Ukraine, with both expressing their readiness to deploy their troops on the ground.
However, Russia has stated it will not accept any NATO troop presence in Ukraine, and Washington has yet to indicate its willingness to provide a security guarantee.
Despite Mr. Trump’s declining support for Ukraine, the United States is considering helping Kyiv obtain additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s ballistic missile threats.
“This is extremely important,” remarked the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas, who is urging member states to fulfill Ukraine’s request for two million shells estimated at five billion euros ($5.4 billion), although no progress was achieved on this proposal at Thursday’s summit.
According to a White House readout, Mr. Zelensky yesterday sought Mr. Trump’s assistance in acquiring US-made “Patriot missile systems” to enhance its current inventory provided by the United States, Germany, and Romania.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov questioned whether Europe was truly committed to concluding the conflict
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed skepticism regarding Europe’s commitment to ending the fighting, noting that governments there are contemplating substantial increases in domestic defense spending.
“Primarily, the signals from Brussels and European capitals reflect intentions to further militarize Europe,” he stated.
Ukraine’s air force reported today that Russia launched 171 drone attacks within its territory overnight, resulting in two fatalities in the northeastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions, along with several injuries.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed its air defense systems had shot down 132 Ukrainian drones across various regions, resulting in two reported injuries.
White Paper for European Defence – Martin
Discussing EU plans to elevate its defense expenditures, Taoiseach Micheál Martin remarked that the White Paper for European Defence is a significant document requiring thorough discussion and contemplation.
Mr. Martin noted before the summit that the document — published yesterday — emphasized the capabilities of individual states to allocate additional funding.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated that the EU defense proposal would demand careful consideration
“We have supported the measures proposed by the President of the Commission. Numerous issues surround Europe’s procurement capabilities and the capacity of the European defense industry to respond to this increased spending,” he stated.
On a broader economic front, he suggested that it would be prudent to wait for the US to reveal its stance on tariffs after April 2.
He added that time would then be necessary to formulate a comprehensive response.
“Our perspective is that Europe must respond strategically, especially when we experience surpluses, and so forth,” he elaborated.
The EU leaders face a packed agenda considering recent developments regarding the war in Ukraine, the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire, rising violence in Syria, and Mr. Trump’s trade war, which is already impacting Europe.
Paschal Donohoe, in his capacity as president of the Eurogroup, along with ECB President Christine Lagarde, will brief leaders on the state of the European economy.
This issue is dominated by a report from Mario Draghi, Ms. Lagarde’s predecessor, discussing how to enhance European competitiveness and the necessity for a so-called capital markets union to provide Europe with deeper and more liquid capital markets.
