Vatican City: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine during negotiations following her meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting took place on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican.

According to Anadolu Agency, von der Leyen issued a statement on social media after their talks, underscoring Europe's support for Ukraine in its pursuit of peace. She assured, "Europe will always stand by Ukraine in its search for peace. You can count on our support at the negotiating table to achieve a just and lasting peace."

Von der Leyen also highlighted that their discussions included Ukraine's progress toward EU membership, indicating a sustained European engagement with Kyiv that extends beyond military support.

The discussion between von der Leyen and Zelenskyy occurred shortly after Zelenskyy met with US President Donald Trump at the Vatican. Following that meeting, Zelenskyy expressed that they had deliberated on the necessity for a "reliable and lasting peace" that would secure a "full and unconditional ceasefire" and prevent any future conflicts.