VDL to Kellogg: Any resolution must respect Ukraine’s independence, backed by strong security guarantees
Any resolution must respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, backed by strong security guarantees, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Keith Kellogg, US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, in talks in Brussels on February 18, the Commission said.
The Von der Leyen – Kellogg meeting took place as the US and Russia met in Riyadh for talks to which Ukraine and the EU were not invited.
The BBC reported that Russian officials described the four-hour talks as “constructive” and “not bad”.
The European Commission said that at her meeting with Kellogg, Von der Leyen emphasised the EU’s critical role in ensuring Ukraine’s financial stability and defence, with a total commitment of 135 billion euro (approximately $145 billion) — more than any other ally. This includes $52 billion in military assistance, matching US contributions.
Von der Leyen outlined Europe’s plans to scale up defence production and spending, reinforcing both European and Ukrainian military capabilities.
She emphasised that the EU is carrying its full share of military assistance to Ukraine and stands ready to do even more.
“Reaffirming the EU’s commitment to a just and lasting peace, the President reiterated that any resolution must respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, backed by strong security guarantees,” the statement said.
“She also expressed the EU’s willingness to work alongside the US to end the bloodshed and help secure the just and lasting peace that Ukraine and its people rightfully deserve.”
The Commission said that Von der Leyen had “made it clear: now is a critical moment”.
On February 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he had had a long conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron following Macron’s meeting on Monday with other European leaders to discuss the global situation, the state of affairs in Europe, and security guarantees for Ukraine.
“We share a common vision: security guarantees must be robust and reliable,” Zelenskyy said.
“Any other decision without such guarantees—such as a fragile ceasefire—would only serve as another deception by Russia and a prelude to a new Russian war against Ukraine or other European nations,” he said.
“Emmanuel also briefed me on his talks with other leaders, not just European ones. We agreed to stay in constant contact as major decisions are being made. Ensuring a robust and lasting peace is a must. And that can only be achieved through strong security guarantees.”
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, who participated in the talks in Paris, said: “Ready and willing.
“That’s my take from today’s meeting in Paris. Europe is ready and willing to step up. To lead in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. Ready and willing to invest a lot more in our security. The details will need to be decided but the commitment is clear,” Rutte said.
Jana Puglierin, head of office and senior policy fellow in Berlin for the European Council on Foreign Relations, said in a comment on the US – Russia bilateral talks: “Washington has begun negotiations with Russia over the heads of Ukraine and the other Europeans, and there are fears that these will not only be about ending the war, but also about the future European security architecture”.
Puglierin said that US President Trump could make concessions that Biden refused to make in December 2021, for example on the stationing of American troops and weapons systems in Eastern Europe or a Russian veto on further NATO enlargement.
“Europe risks to stand powerless on the sidelines as the foundations of European security collapse,” Puglierin said.
“February 2022 destroyed our faith in a collective security order with Russia and showed us the dark side of our fundamental dependence on Russia and China in critical areas. February 2025 shows us that the Americans no longer feel responsible for European security – and that their interests are fundamentally different from ours. This is the real ‘turning point ‘,” she said.
Please support The Sofia Globe’s independent journalism by becoming a subscriber to our page on Patreon:
