European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on the 17th that any issues involving territory must be decided by Ukraine and that Ukraine must be at the negotiating table.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Ukrainian President Zelensky will travel to Washington on the 18th to meet U.S. President Trump. Von der Leyen and leaders of several European countries have confirmed they will join Zelensky in the U.S. to attend the meeting.
At a press conference in Brussels on the 17th, von der Leyen said that Europe will firmly support Ukraine until a just and lasting peace is achieved. She added that Europe will continue to put pressure on Russia in diplomatic and economic fields, and that the 19th round of sanctions against Russia is expected to be introduced in early September.
Focus on the Collective Defense Clause of the NATO Treaty
Von der Leyen stated that the EU welcomes the U.S. proposal to provide Ukraine with security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, and that the EU is willing to assume its due responsibilities within the framework of the "coalition of volunteers" providing security guarantees for Ukraine.
Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty is NATO's collective defense clause. On the 17th, U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs Whitaker told CNN that the United States and some European countries may offer Ukraine security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
Macron: Europe Should Sit at the Negotiating Table on Ukraine Issues
French President Macron said on the 17th that the issue of Ukraine concerns European security and that Europe must participate in relevant negotiations.
Macron said that this trip is to safeguard Europe’s own interests and to show a "united front of Europe and Ukraine," because the outcome of the Ukraine issue is key to building a new European security architecture. "Europe should be at the negotiating table."
Rubio: Both Russia and Ukraine Must Make Concessions
Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio said on the 17th that the Trump administration has decided not to impose new sanctions on Russia. "What we want to do now is end the war;" imposing new sanctions on Russia cannot force them to agree to a ceasefire. He stated that only if both Russia and Ukraine make concessions and accept gains and losses can a peace agreement be reached.