**Ukraine’s President Zelensky Meets with European Commission Chief von der Leyen Amid Ongoing Conflict**
In a significant meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sat down to discuss Ukraine’s EU accession progress and continued cooperation between the country and the bloc. The two leaders met on April 26, following Pope Francis’s funeral.
**Europe Stands by Ukraine**
In a statement on social media, von der Leyen reiterated Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine in its pursuit of peace. “Europe will always stand by Ukraine in the pursuit of peace,” she said, emphasizing that the continent would continue to back Ukraine at the negotiating table to achieve a just and lasting peace.
The meeting between Zelensky and von der Leyen was part of a series of high-level talks held on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral. The Ukrainian president had previously met with U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
**ReArm Europe Initiative**
The two leaders discussed continued cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the ReArm Europe initiative, which aims to protect the region from Russia’s aggression. Zelensky emphasized that they had talked about steps to help protect Ukrainian lives, restore security, and bring an unconditional ceasefire closer.
**Preparing New Sanctions Package**
The meeting also touched on the preparation of the EU’s 17th sanctions package against Russia. Zelensky highlighted the importance of the new measures being aimed at key sectors of the Russian economy and becoming one of the elements of pressure on Russia to restore peace.
**U.S.-Ukraine Relations Under Scrutiny**
The meeting comes as the U.S. weighs major concessions for Ukraine, including de jure recognizing Russian control over Crimea. Many European leaders have expressed their opposition to such a move, urging instead an end to the policy of appeasement and a united stance against Russia’s terrorist regime.
As the international community continues to grapple with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Zelensky’s meeting with von der Leyen serves as a crucial reminder of Europe’s commitment to supporting the country’s pursuit of peace.
