European Commission President Welcomes Trump's Efforts to Resolve Ukraine Crisis

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Donald Trump's efforts to push forward a settlement for the Ukraine crisis. Speaking to the European Parliament, she said recent talks in Geneva between Ukraine, the US, and Europe have created a starting point for negotiations, though much work remains ahead.

Von der Leyen stressed that any deal must deliver what she called a "just and lasting peace" while ensuring "real security for Ukraine and Europe." Her comments signal cautious optimism about Trump's diplomatic push, marking a shift from the military-focused approach that has defined the conflict for nearly three years.

The Geneva discussions represent the most serious diplomatic effort in months to find a path out of the war. But the European leader's emphasis on "real security" highlights ongoing concerns about any agreement that might leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.

For European markets and defense spending, a potential settlement could reshape the continent's security calculations. European nations have poured billions into military aid and defense upgrades since Russia's invasion began. Any peace deal would likely require long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, potentially involving continued European military commitments even after fighting stops.

The timing matters for Trump, who campaigned on ending the Ukraine war quickly. But von der Leyen's conditions suggest Europe won't accept just any deal - it needs to be one that actually sticks and prevents the conflict from reigniting down the road.