President Zelenskyy Addresses Peace Efforts at Vilnius Summit

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasized the need for continued defense support and diplomacy to end the war during his speech at the Summit with the Bucharest Nine and the Nordic Countries in Vilnius on June 2, 2025. Zelenskyy’s delegation, currently in Istanbul, expressed readiness to take necessary steps for peace. The President also held meetings with various leaders, including the Prime Minister of Finland, President of Poland, and Prime Minister of Norway, discussing defense cooperation, bilateral relations, and investments in Ukraine’s defense industry.

In a statement following the summit, Zelenskyy asserted that the key to lasting peace lies in ensuring that the aggressor, in this case, Russia, does not receive any reward for the war. He emphasized the importance of not rewarding aggression as it would only incentivize further conflict. Additionally, Zelenskyy discussed the need to increase pressure on Russia over the prolonged war, particularly focusing on reinforcing Ukraine’s air shield against increased drone and missile attacks.

Moreover, President Zelenskyy met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, where they discussed agreements on prisoner exchanges and preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague. The President highlighted the significance of Ukraine’s proper representation at the summit. Zelenskyy also engaged in talks with the new President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, exploring opportunities for advancing cooperation between the two countries.