‘Russia must not prevail,’ say EU leaders as they sign security deal with Ukraine

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and European Council president Charles Michel at the EU summit in Brussels. Photo: AP

Julia Payne

EU leaders signed a security agreement with Ukraine yesterday, kicking off talks on how to bolster EU defences against Russia before agreeing on the bloc’s priorities for the next five years and filling top jobs in its institutions.

Leaders of the 27 EU countries, meeting formally for the first time since the European elections on June 6-9, gave a warm welcome to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who made a rare personal appearance in Brussels for the signing ceremony.