Zelenskyy urged EU leaders to unlock all accession chapters within the coming weeks and to ultimately back Kyiv’s accelerated membership bid, asserting it «deserves full EU membership more than any other European country.”
At a summit in Brussels, Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted to EU leaders that the process of Ukraine joining the European Union should be expedited, given the devastating sacrifices the nation has made.
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“Ukraine merits this because it has sacrificed more than any other European country to secure its freedom, independence, and European identity,” he explained.
“Similarly, other nations have the right to assert independence from Russia,” he added.
When speaking with European leaders, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s military expertise, highlighting that its defensive strength is vital for Europe’s security and could significantly speed up Ukraine’s integration into the EU.
Following the meeting, Zelenskyy sent a voice message via WhatsApp to journalists, noting that all leaders acknowledged Ukraine’s armed forces as the strongest across Europe, which would benefit the EU greatly.
“At present, Ukraine functions as NATO’s second most powerful army globally. For this reason, NATO officially needs us—no one else.”
“The destiny of a free, unified, and peaceful Europe hinges on our defense capabilities,” Zelenskyy remarked to the EU leadership. “This uniquely defines our situation.”
He also advocated for a European ballistic missile initiative, emphasizing it originated from Ukraine and that Kyiv remains committed despite existing challenges.
“Europe is set to develop its own ballistic arsenal. This is urgent. Ukraine remains resolute, and we will accomplish this together with our partners. This initiative started with us and now is a joint endeavor.”
“We have overcome Orbán”
After Hungary’s elections in April, Zelenskyy told EU leaders there is now a clear opening to bolster relationships both within the EU and between the EU and Ukraine, especially with new Prime Minister Péter Magyar attending for the first time.
In a post-summit voice message, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine maintained its dignity and “endured Orbán,” referring to former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who imposed vetoes on Ukraine across areas from funding to enlargement.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards Ukraine’s neighbours—namely Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia—for their support advancing Kyiv’s European ambitions, assuring them of Ukraine’s dedication to mutual respect.
Addressing the sensitive topic of Hungarian minorities in Ukraine, he stressed that “being a good neighbor has always been more than mere words” from Kyiv’s viewpoint.
Although Zelenskyy did not hold a bilateral meeting with Magyar, they exchanged a brief dialogue according to an official familiar with the discussions. The Ukrainian President met with Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Bulgaria’s Rumen Radev, the latter opposing sanctions on Russia that would harm Bulgaria.
“Putin is a madman” who wants “Ukraine to go up in flames”
Following the EU summit, Zelenskyy told journalists in a voice message that Vladimir Putin has no desire to end the conflict, a fact now acknowledged widely.
“Everything he claims about pursuing peace is false. This is clear to all partners and Europeans,” he said, adding that Kyiv’s allies “are confident that together we will stop him.”
Despite asserting the Kremlin leader’s disinterest in negotiations, Zelenskyy reiterated his openness to talks. “Putin wants our country engulfed in flames; he is a madman—our partners recognize this.”
The Ukrainian president stated that no one should expect Putin to leave the Kremlin or alter his goals. “Putin will remain in the Kremlin until his death,» he said, further explaining that Putin aims “to revive the Soviet Union, which cannot happen without Ukraine.”