Von der Leyen Demands Ukraine Ceasefire Before Talks on Europe’s Security

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned Monday, Nov. 9, that broader negotiations over Europe’s security architecture must wait until a ceasefire is achieved in Ukraine, as she announced €50 million to strengthen Black Sea maritime security amid escalating Russian threats. Speaking at a joint press conference with Romanian President Nicușor Dan in Bucharest, von der Leyen said the upcoming US-mediated peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi must focus on ending Russia’s war rather than reshaping Europe’s security arrangements.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Any meaningful discussions about Europe’s security architecture can only be undertaken once a ceasefire in Ukraine has been achieved,” von der Leyen said. She insisted that any such negotiations must include NATO allies and EU member states. “The focus of these peace talks is ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. That must be the goal,” she added. Her remarks came ahead of trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the US, scheduled to begin Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the United Arab Emirates. EU backs Abu Dhabi talks, rejects premature security negotiations Von der Leyen said President Volodymyr Zelensky had requested European support for the peace negotiations and confirmed that Brussels was providing it. She said the EU was developing a postwar prosperity plan for Ukraine and working on security guarantees designed to prevent another Russian invasion. “We’re currently working on a post-war prosperity plan for Ukraine,” she said, emphasizing the need for stability and reconstruction. Other Topics of Interest EU Divided Over European Role in Upcoming Ukraine-Russia Talks EU countries are divided over Europe’s role in Abu Dhabi talks, with France, Germany, and the UK attending as others push for broader representation. The EU chief also supported Kyiv’s call for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, where Russian attacks have threatened commercial shipping and food exports. “No one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine,” she said. Von der Leyen welcomed the upcoming Abu Dhabi negotiations, noting that European representatives would be present alongside other partners. Her comments followed proposals from Washington to eventually include broader discussions between Russia and European governments on the continent’s security arrangements. European officials have expressed concern that such negotiations could reopen Moscow’s longstanding demands for restrictions on NATO’s military presence in Eastern Europe. Romania warns Russia is trying to draw Europe into war Romanian President Nicușor Dan warned that Moscow was increasingly using hybrid operations to destabilize the Black Sea region and involve European countries in its war against Ukraine. He cited drone incidents, sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns as examples of the growing threats. Dan said Russia was attempting to escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders through a combination of military pressure and hybrid warfare. He also stressed that security in the Black Sea was essential to any durable settlement in Ukraine. “We cannot speak of lasting peace in Ukraine or effective reconstruction without a secure Black Sea,” Dan said. The Romanian president described the region as vital to European energy security, international trade and the development of transport connections with the Caspian region. He reaffirmed Bucharest’s support for Ukraine and Moldova’s European integration, arguing that their accession processes would strengthen regional security and prosperity. Dan also highlighted Romania’s cooperation with NATO and EU partners along its border with Ukraine, particularly around the Danube. EU announces €50 million for Black Sea Security Hub Von der Leyen announced that the European Commission would accelerate work on the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, an initiative jointly promoted by Romania and Bulgaria. The project was incorporated into the EU’s Black Sea Strategy in 2025 but has gained urgency following recent attacks on commercial vessels and maritime infrastructure. “We will now fast-track the work on the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub,” she said, announcing a timetable for completion and €50 million in dedicated funding. The hub is intended to strengthen maritime surveillance, information sharing and cooperation on protecting critical infrastructure. Von der Leyen welcomed closer coordination between Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, saying the deteriorating security environment required a more urgent European response. She also announced an additional €10 million for Romanian search-and-rescue operations following deadly incidents involving commercial vessels. The funding will help Romanian authorities respond more quickly to emergencies at sea. The EU chief expressed solidarity with the families of sailors killed or missing following recent attacks. “The skies over the Black Sea have darkened,” she said, pointing to drone attacks against commercial shipping near Romania’s coast. Ukraine-Romania drone cooperation receives EU backing Von der Leyen praised Romania’s joint drone production initiative with Ukraine, describing it as a model for European defense cooperation. She said the partnership would strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities while improving Romania’s security and economy. The Commission president confirmed that Romania was set to receive more than €16 billion under the EU’s SAFE joint defense procurement program. She also said an additional €21 billion was available to member states through a second SAFE funding call launched two weeks earlier. The funds could support drone and counter-drone manufacturing, protection of ports and other critical infrastructure, and joint European defense projects. Von der Leyen emphasized that strengthening Romania’s defense capabilities would also reinforce the security of NATO’s eastern flank. “Romania stands on the front line of European security,” she said. EU warns of growing Russian information warfare Von der Leyen also identified foreign information manipulation as a major threat to European security. She warned that drone incidents were increasingly accompanied by disinformation campaigns designed to spread fear and uncertainty. “Hostile actors are weaponizing the information space,” she said. The Commission president said such operations were not merely communications challenges but direct security risks. She pointed to the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, launched earlier this year, as a mechanism to help member states identify and counter foreign interference. Dan said Romania had consistently raised Black Sea security concerns with European institutions even before the latest incidents. He acknowledged that Bucharest had not always acted as quickly as the public expected but argued that Romania had remained consistent in its approach to regional security. Both leaders called for stronger European cooperation as Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its fifth anniversary.