At the 7th European Political Community Summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a forceful address emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by Russia and the need for European unity and decisive action.
“Dear friends! We are all now in a new reality – and everyone, I think, understands this, even those who may not want to admit it yet,” Zelensky said, referencing recent drone incidents across Europe. “Russia still feels bold enough to escalate this war. And it was never just about Ukraine. Russia has always aimed to break the West – and Europe in particular.”
Zelensky outlined the urgency of a coordinated European response to aerial threats, highlighting Ukraine’s expertise in counter-drone operations. “Our guys are already here in Denmark,” he noted, referring to Ukrainian personnel assisting European partners in detecting and neutralizing attack drones.
“We are ready to share this experience with you, partners. And this is just the beginning – the first step on the path toward an effective Drone Wall to protect all of Europe.”
The president stressed that the Drone Wall concept must be implemented across the continent. “If the Russians dare to launch drones against Poland or violate the airspace of Northern European countries, it means this can happen anywhere – in Western Europe, in the South,” Zelensky warned. He also encouraged countries to participate in the PURL programme, which strengthens both European and U.S.-Ukraine defense cooperation.
Zelensky did not shy away from addressing the economic dimension of Russia’s war. He called for a 19th package of sanctions, targeting not only Russian oil and gas trade but also the crews and owners of vessels circumventing existing restrictions.
“We need to seriously think how to truly down Russia’s entire oil trade infrastructure – because that’s what fuels their war machine,” he said, stressing the need for coordinated action across Europe.
On security guarantees, Zelensky urged European nations to formalize and expand protections that support both Ukraine and the continent at large.
“Security guarantees for Ukraine can already work now – they directly support our army. But overall, every nation in Europe deserves real security guarantees,” he said, advocating for a model that could be extended to other countries.
The Ukrainian president also celebrated democratic milestones in Europe, congratulating Maia Sandu on Moldova’s parliamentary election victory.
“Europe has won. Moldova has won. And thank you to everyone who helped to secure fair elections. Now it’s time to move forward,” he said, emphasizing the importance of EU integration for Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans.
Zelensky concluded by noting Ukraine’s readiness to open Cluster 1 of the EU integration process, highlighting it as a step that will strengthen the broader European security and political landscape.
