The EU accelerates support for Ukraine and the preparation of European defense, says Ursula von der Leyen

The President of the European Commission states that financial support for Ukraine is "a European act of defense," while Russia "mocks diplomacy" as it continues its attacks.

Brussels, December 8, 2025 — Ursula von der Leyen presented European priorities after the Coalition of the Willing meeting, emphasizing the urgency of funding for Ukraine and accelerating the Union's defense preparations. The Commission President reaffirmed European unity in the face of Russian aggression and explained the proposed mechanism for using revenues generated by frozen Russian assets.

In short

Financial support for Ukraine is "essential for its survival" and a European act of defense.

Revenues from frozen Russian assets are to be used as reparations through the Reparations Loan mechanism.

EU sanctions have a major impact on Russia's war economy.

Ukraine is included in 15 of the 19 SAFE plans submitted by member states.

The EU accelerates the readiness roadmap, military mobility, and European defense industrial projects.

Russia intensifies its attacks and "mocks diplomacy," while Ukraine makes genuine efforts for peace.

The EU promises continued unity in supporting Ukraine and defending Europe.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated that financial support for Ukraine remains a strategic priority, describing it as "a crucial act of European defense." She informed the attending leaders and President Volodymyr Zelensky about two central directions of the discussions: strengthening support for Ukraine and accelerating the Union's defense preparations.

Von der Leyen emphasized the role of sanctions in pressuring Russia's war economy, stating that the Union and its allies "have the means and the will" to intensify pressure to bring Moscow to the negotiating table. She also explained the Reparations Loan proposal, which is based on using revenues generated by frozen Russian assets to cover the costs of reparations. According to her statement, the longer Russia prolongs the war, the higher the costs imposed by this mechanism will be.

Regarding European defense, the president stated that the rapid implementation of the "readiness roadmap" is essential. She highlighted progress in military mobility and pan-European projects, including the integration of the defense industry. Von der Leyen mentioned that Ukraine is included in 15 of the 19 SAFE plans submitted so far by member states, a signal of mutual reinforcement between Ukrainian and European forces.

On the diplomatic front, the president noted the discrepancy between Ukraine's sincere efforts to advance towards peace and Russia's behavior, which "denies and delays," intensifying attacks while claiming to negotiate. "We know who the aggressor is and who the victim is in this war," said von der Leyen, reiterating the official position of the Commission. Von der Leyen concluded the message by emphasizing European unity: Russia's war "has failed in its attempt to divide us," and member states are "more united than ever" in defending democratic values and supporting Ukraine.

The Coalition of the Willing meeting took place in the context of strengthening European defense efforts and discussions regarding the use of frozen Russian assets. The statement comes at a time when the EU is finalizing SAFE plans, preparing additional financial instruments for Ukraine, and intensifying military cooperation at the European level.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/ue-accelereaza-sprijinul-pentru-ucraina-si-pregatirea-apararii-europene-afirma-ursula-von-der-leyen