Von der Leyen backs food and energy ceasefire call

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, starting a visit to Romania and Bulgaria, said she supports President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for a ceasefire covering food and energy infrastructure and that freedom of navigation in the Black Sea must be restored and preserved.

Why it matters: The statement puts the Commission behind a limited food and energy ceasefire proposal as attacks on Black Sea shipping escalate, and places the EU at this week's peace talks in Abu Dhabi alongside its partners.

Data as of European Commission statement STATEMENT/26/2374, dated November 8, 2026, read in full via the estate browser route in this run; every statement of position is the Commission president's own. Developing item.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she is beginning a visit to the Black Sea region, meeting leaders in Romania and Bulgaria to discuss the situation on the ground and how Europe can strengthen its response, after what she called a good call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She said freedom of navigation in the Black Sea must be restored and preserved, and reiterated her support for Zelenskyy’s call for a ceasefire covering food and energy infrastructure.

Von der Leyen said the two also discussed ongoing peace efforts and the talks in Abu Dhabi this week, where the EU will be present alongside its partners, and that she looks forward to meeting Zelenskyy in Dublin later this week to discuss the next steps towards peace with fellow leaders.

Von der Leyen backs food and energy ceasefire call

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