On May 9, 2026, a significant telephone conversation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President of the European Council, António Costa, marked Europe Day with discussions centered on Ukraine’s path to European integration. During the call, Costa extended congratulations to Ukraine, acknowledging the nation’s Europe Day celebration. President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude towards the European nations for their support amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. He emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and the broader European right to self-determination, stating, “Russia will not succeed in breaking Europe or fracturing it – there have been many attempts, but all have failed. And none will succeed.” The leaders also touched upon the concrete steps being taken towards Ukraine’s deeper integration into European structures. Preparations are currently underway for opening negotiation clusters, which are expected to pave the path for further decisive actions in Ukraine’s integration process. Additionally, the dialogue covered recent diplomatic maneuvers, including a notable prisoner exchange arrangement with Russia, mediated by the United States, involving 1,000 prisoners from each side. This development underscores the ongoing complex interaction between diplomatic efforts and ground realities. Post navigation Strengthening Ties: Ukraine and Azerbaijan