Burak Bir
18 October 2025•Update: 18 October 2025
LONDON
EU has reiterated importance of diplomatic support to Kyiv as well as security guarantees, following White House talk between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stressing that shared goal remains "just and lasting peace" for Ukraine.
European Council President Antonio Costa said that he dad a call with the Ukrainian president and European leaders following Zelenskyy's Friday meeting with the US president.
"Our shared goal remains a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Military, financial, and diplomatic support, as well as security guarantees, are essential to achieving it," he wrote on US social media company X.
He noted that they will continue working closely with partners toward that end, mentioning that EU leaders will discuss concrete steps to reinforce EU support and increase pressure on Russia in pursuit of peace during next week's European Council (EUCO) meeting.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also touched on their "productive call" with Zelenskyy and European leaders as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
"I reiterated our unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, the UK will continue to send humanitarian aid and military support," Starmer said on X.
Joining Costa's message, Starmer mentioned need for a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine.
For his part, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Europe’s solidarity with Ukraine against Russia is today "more important than ever before."
Zelenskyy said Saturday that his more than two-hour conversation with US President Donald Trump could help bring the Russia-Ukraine war “closer to an end,” emphasizing discussions on battlefield positions, long-range capabilities, air defense and diplomatic prospects.
Friday's meeting marked the Ukrainian leader's third visit to the White House since Trump took office in January.
It comes after Trump announced he will meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Hungary for Ukraine talk.
