‘You’re Among Friends’– NATO, EU Leaders Huddle With Zelensky Ahead of Trump Meeting

THE HAGUE – As NATO leaders gathered in the Netherlands on Tuesday for a historic summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky called for much-needed unity among Western backers.

“For us, the most important thing is to see the unity of NATO and EU countries,” the Ukrainian leader said Tuesday afternoon as he held a meeting with the European leaders Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, and NATO chief Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the summit to coordinate joint efforts.

The four discussed the Western response to Russia’s aggressive rearmament, emphasizing the need for unity, innovation, and increased production. 

Europe “has finally awakened in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine,” von der Leyen, European Commission President, said, describing a generational shift in the continent’s security posture.

“You’re here among friends,” she told Zelensky.

She said the future of Europe “is being written on the frontline in Ukraine, but not only: It is also being written in its factories.”

She elaborated that the EU defense innovation office in Kyiv and partnerships with countries like Canada are crucial for modernizing defense capabilities.

She said both NATO and the EU stress the importance of interoperability, innovation, and practical cooperation to enhance defense readiness.

Von der Leyen said that recent actions by European states would have seemed “unthinkable just a year ago.” NATO leader Rutte agreed, adding that what is also “simply unthinkable” is that Russia, with an economy 25 times smaller than NATO’s, “should be able to out-produce and outgun us.”

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NATO Chief Rutte Arrives in Kyiv in Surprise Visit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday in an unannounced visit, underscoring continued Alliance support for Ukraine. Ukrzaliznytsia briefly confirmed his arrival at Kyiv railway station before deleting the post, though images circulated online. Details of Rutte’s agenda are currently undisclosed.

“We must spend more to prevent war. We must win this new war of production,” said Rutte.

The four leaders’ meeting came just hours before a dinner hosted by Dutch King Willem-Alexander, where US President Donald Trump was also present.

Earlier, speaking to reporters en route to the Netherlands, Trump said he was “probably” going to meet Zelensky in The Hague. A White House official confirmed to Kyiv Post that the two leaders will have a one-on-one meeting Wednesday afternoon.

While today’s summit is expected to focus on a single issue – a massive increase in defense spending across the alliance – many of Ukraine’s strongest supporters noted that Trump has sown doubt on his commitment to the alliance’s core mutual defense pledge.

Asked en route aboard Air Force One whether he remained committed to NATO’s Article Five mutual defense clause, Trump said, “Depends on your definition. There’s [sic] numerous definitions of Article Five,” adding only that he was “committed to being their friends.”

He then went on to clarify that he was “committed to saving lives. I’m committed to life and safety. And I’m going to give you an exact definition when I get there.”Trump was also asked if he would be “okay” with language about Russian aggression in the final NATO Summit declaration. “I’ll have to take a look at it,” he replied. “But you know, I’d like to see a deal with Russia,” he said.

Despite Trump’s comments, NATO civilian leader Rutte assured allies that he has “no doubt” about the US commitment to the Article 5 mutual defense clause.

“I have no doubt that the US is totally committed to NATO – totally committed to Article 5,” he said.

As Zelensky braces for his high-stakes meeting with Trump to convince him to help boost his country’s defense capabilities in the face of increasing Russian attacks, he has already secured renewed support from allies on another front: sanctioning Russia.  

The EU leaders assured the Ukrainian president that the bloc’s 18th sanctions package will be “a biting one.”

Von der Leyen told the Ukrainian president the package would be “a hard one” for Russia, 

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), co-chair of the Senate NATO observer group, also met with Zelensky to assure him that she and her allies are working to get the Russia Sanctions bill (supported by 85 Senators from both parties) across the finish line and “will push for further security assistance Ukraine,” she announced in a social media post.