Zelenskyy Urges Europe to Stand Firm

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European countries to strengthen military cooperation, maintain pressure on Russia and ensure long-term support for Ukraine during an address to the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv on March 31, 2026. He said Russia must not emerge from the war with a victory or any reward.

Zelenskyy called on Europe to prioritize the production of defense systems and weapons proven effective on modern battlefields. He said initiatives such as the EU’s SAFE program should support advanced capabilities, including air-defense systems, drones and responses to cruise and ballistic missile threats. In the short term, he said, Ukraine needs additional funding, while Europe should eventually be able to produce missiles and other defense equipment independently.

The president also urged the EU to unblock a proposed €90 billion financial support package for Ukraine, including €5 billion earmarked for protection and recovery ahead of the next winter. He called for tougher sanctions on Russian oil and other restrictive measures, and said Ukraine’s membership in the EU should remain a key security priority. Kyiv is prepared to open negotiation clusters and continue accession talks, he said.

Zelenskyy said Europe must be directly involved in negotiations aimed at ending the war and that its security interests must be considered. He expressed hope that the United States would help bring Russia to a trilateral meeting and apply pressure for a peace agreement. The meeting was attended by ministers and senior government representatives from EU member states, along with ambassadors from several other countries.