As European leaders prepared for the upcoming European Council meeting, diplomatic efforts surged on multiple fronts, underscoring the geopolitical stakes and coordinated positioning among allies.
In a joint statement released late Monday, U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor General Michael Waltz confirmed their secure call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Both U.S. officials reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and defense efforts. “We stand firmly with the people of Ukraine as they defend their nation against Russian aggression. Our conversations with President Zelenskyy reflect our continued commitment to ensuring Ukraine receives the necessary support—military, financial, and diplomatic,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, in a separate diplomatic engagement, President Zelenskyy held a coordination call with Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa. Both leaders aligned their positions in advance of the European Council discussions, focusing particularly on bolstering European unity and maintaining momentum for sustained support to Ukraine. According to sources, Zelenskyy and Costa discussed “strategic priorities” for the Council meeting, with Lisbon reiterating its backing of Ukraine’s European integration path.
Simultaneously, Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, convened a critical conversation with national security advisors to G7 leaders. The dialogue, described as “constructive and strategic,” focused on tightening coordination among Ukraine’s key allies. Topics included upcoming aid packages, security guarantees, and preparations for the next round of diplomatic engagements. Yermak emphasized Ukraine’s expectations from G7 partners, stressing the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia through sanctions and continued international unity.
With diplomatic lines burning hot, these conversations signal intensified preparations as European and transatlantic leaders gather to define their next steps on Ukraine, sanctions policy, and broader regional stability.
Statement from Secretary Rubio and NSA Waltz on Call with Zelenskyy
Washington DC, The White House, March 19, 2025
“Today, President Donald J. Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a fantastic phone conversation. President Zelenskyy thanked President Trump for a productive start for the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11th. The meeting of the senior officials from both nations significantly helped in moving toward ending the war.
President Zelenskyy thanked President Trump for the support of the United States, especially the Javelin missiles that President Trump was first to provide, and his efforts towards peace. The leaders agreed Ukraine and America will continue working together to bring about a real end to the war, and that lasting peace under President Trump’s leadership can be achieved.
President Trump fully briefed President Zelenskyy on his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the key issues discussed. They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved. President Zelenskyy asked for additional air defense systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems, President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available particularly in Europe.
The two leaders also agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy. Technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire. They agreed this could be the first step toward the full end of the war and ensuring security. President Zelenskyy was grateful for the President’s leadership in this effort and reiterated his willingness to adopt a full ceasefire.
President Trump also discussed Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power plants. He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
President Zelenskyy also thanked President Trump for continuing to push humanitarian concerns, including the exchange of POWs. He noted they had just had a successful exchange and thanked the President for his leadership. President Trump also asked President Zelenskyy about the children who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, including the ones that had been abducted. President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home.
They agreed all parties must continue the effort to make a ceasefire work. The Presidents noted the positive work of their advisors and representatives, especially Secretary Rubio, National Security Advisor Waltz, Special Envoy Kellogg, and others. The Presidents instructed their teams to move ahead with the technical issues related to implementing and broadening the partial ceasefire. The Presidents instructed their advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible. The Presidents emphasized that in further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and António Costa coordinated positions ahead of the European Council meeting
Kyiv, 19 March 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of the European Council António Costa.
The Head of State thanked for the invitation to participate in tomorrow’s meeting of the European Council, which he will join online. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and António Costa coordinated their positions and discussed key issues on the agenda.
In addition, the conversation addressed Ukraine’s participation in the ReArm Europe initiative and the financing of ammunition procurement.
The President of Ukraine and the President of the European Council also discussed steps to accelerate Ukraine’s EU integration. Our state relies on support in unblocking the negotiation clusters.
Additionally, Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed President Costa about his constructive conversation with the President of the United States, during which he reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness to implement the U.S. unconditional proposal for a ceasefire.
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, held a conversation with national security advisors to G7 Leaders
Kyiv, 19 March 2025
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held an online conversation with national security advisers to G7 leaders, during which they discussed support for international efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The conversation was attended by:
National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada Nathalie Drouin,
Diplomatic Advisor to the President of France Emmanuel Bonne,
Foreign Policy and Security Adviser to the Federal Chancellor of Germany Jens Plötner,
Head of the Cabinet of the President of the European Council Pedro Lourtie,
Head of the Cabinet of the President of the European Commission Björn Seibert,
Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Fabrizio Saggio,
Secretary General of Japan’s National Security Secretariat and National Security Advisor to the Cabinet Okano Masataka,
National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Jonathan Powell, and
Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States Alex Wong.
Andriy Yermak briefed the partners on the results of the international consultations held in Jeddah, emphasizing the extremely positive dynamics brought by the Ukrainian-American meeting.
“Both sides demonstrated a constructive approach to finding ways to achieve peace. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the United States and President Trump personally,” he stressed.
The Head of the Presidential Office also spoke about the telephone conversation between the President of Ukraine and the President of the United States.
The parties had a separate discussion on security guarantees for Ukraine. Andriy Yermak emphasized that neutral status is not an option, and that Ukraine’s accession to collective security systems and the development of effective Armed Forces are critical. He noted that Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the EU is not only a strategic goal, but also a necessity for strengthening European and global security.
The participants also addressed compensation mechanisms and Russia’s responsibility for the destruction and losses inflicted on Ukraine.
“Russia must be held accountable for every destroyed life, every ruined house. Above all, we want peace. However, our “red lines” remain unchanged. We do not trade away our territories or sovereignty,” the Head of the Presidential Office stated.
The advisors to G7 leaders reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and expressed their readiness to continue facilitating the implementation of Ukrainian initiatives aimed at achieving a just peace.
