Speaking at a joint press conference in Brussels with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, von der Leyen outlined Europe’s position ahead of Monday’s summit at The White House, where EU leaders will join U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy to discuss the path to a possible peace agreement.
“Ukraine must be able to uphold its sovereignty and its territorial integrity,” von der Leyen said. “There can be no limitations on Ukrainian armed forces — be it cooperation with or assistance from third countries.”
She also reaffirmed the EU’s long-term support, stating: “We will support you for as long as it takes for a just and lasting peace.”
Von der Leyen called for Ukraine to become a “steel porcupine,” resilient to future invasions, and highlighted efforts to boost European defence production, particularly in drone manufacturing.
On territorial matters, she was unequivocal: “International borders cannot be changed by force. These are decisions to be made by Ukraine and Ukraine alone — and cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table.”
The European Commission president confirmed a 19th sanctions package against Russia is being prepared for early September. The EU has already adopted 18 rounds of sanctions since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Zelenskyy welcomed the EU’s position, but emphasised that any resolution involving territorial concessions must be addressed directly between Ukraine and Russia — and only with Kyiv’s involvement. “So far, Russia gives no sign that a trilateral meeting will happen. And if Russia refuses, then new sanctions must follow,” he said.
Commenting on Trump’s recent Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy said: “I don’t know what Putin and President Trump actually talked about. I want President Trump to tell me the details.”
He added that real security guarantees for Ukraine must involve sustained military support — from Europe and the U.S. — including funding, weapons and modern air defences.
“As far as the White House is concerned, I am in a very productive mood,” Zelenskyy said, ahead of Monday’s talks in Washington.
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A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 September 2026. These are the top stories making headlines in technology.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for nuclear concessions.
The European Union's decision to simultaneously advance accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania marks its most ambitious enlargement effort in more than two decades.
A child was killed and five other people injured in Russian air strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region early on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials have said.
China has announced plans to complete the world's first AI-driven geological map of Mars by the end of 2028, a project that aims to reconstruct the red planet's ancient water history and introduce a Chinese framework for Martian geological time that Beijing hopes will become a new global standard.
Norway’s parliament on Wednesday began public hearings into ties between late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Norwegian diplomats and politicians, as authorities face questions over the impact of those relationships on the country’s foreign service.
New York prosecutors have reopened a criminal investigation into allegations that seven Cornell University fraternity members sexually assaulted a student in 2024. The case is set to be presented to a grand jury following renewed scrutiny.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared that Brexit has done more harm than good, while reaffirming support for Ukraine and NATO as he used his first Labour conference speech as leader to set out a new direction for Britain.
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