It’s necessary to unite and develop resources, capabilities, and production in Europe as much as possible in order to truly build a common defense policy and shared European defense capabilities. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy made this statement at the Bucharest Nine Summit, which included the Nordic countries.

The Head of State noted that this format brings together Northern and Central Europe – the part that is under direct Russian threat. According to the President, the basic elements of common security are ensuring that Russia is stopped in its attempts to wage war.

“We have already done a lot to contain Russia and to show it that war will never again bring victory or avoid devastating consequences for the aggressor itself. First of all, I want to thank all of you for your big support. Thank you so much! Thanks to you people, to your countries, to all of Europe, to the United States,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President stressed that Ukraine is counting on the European support package of 90 billion euros to start working no later than the beginning of June, with the first part of funding going in particular to the production of drones.

“And we need to open the first cluster and give a clear push to Ukraine’s EU membership. Everything is ready for the first cluster. And this political step would send the right, very right signal – about the strength of the EU and Russia’s political failure,” the Head of State emphasized.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Europe cannot depend on changing geopolitical moods and therefore must unite its efforts and develop its resources, capabilities, and production, creating a common defense policy and capabilities that will strengthen every country, as well as alliances like NATO.

The President emphasized the need to build a multi-level protection system, particularly against drones and combined air attacks. Ukrainian expertise is already helping partners in the Gulf countries, the Middle East, and the South Caucasus, and work has also begun in Europe.

“I believe all of us need bilateral Drone Deals – such deals that will help integrate every part of national defense so we can respond to modern threats, using Europe’s production capabilities and Ukrainian expertise – proven in real defense during a real war,” the President noted.

The Head of State also stressed that in modern warfare, it is not enough to have only the tools: interceptors, various types of drones, and electronic warfare systems. What is also needed is real experience in using them and the ability to adapt quickly to change. At present, only Ukrainians have such experience, which is why it is important to develop and scale programs such as SAFE, which gives Europe the opportunity to rearm already now, as well as PURL, which helps procure means to protect lives in Ukraine.

“Of course, we’re not giving up on diplomatic efforts, and we hope that pressure on Russia, together with negotiations in different formats, will help bring peace. Sanctions are working, our long-range capabilities are working, and every form of your pressure is working. We are in constant contact with our American partners. We are thankful. And we expect the issue of ending Russia’s war against Ukraine to be raised now as well, while the President of the United States is in China,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State also called on everyone with the relevant capabilities to join the anti-ballistic coalition that is currently being formed. According to the President, the coming weeks should also be used to determine how the Coalition of the Willing will operate and what security guarantees can realistically be put in place.

“Some people try to present these as two opposite goals – improving people’s quality of life and lowering living costs on the one hand, and strengthening security and defense capabilities on the other. Russia attacks Europeans’ wallets just as much as it attacks their rights. That is why the stronger we are, the more stability our people will have. We need more cooperation between all of us, and more joint results, of course, in defense,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded.

The 11th Bucharest Nine Summit is taking place in Bucharest. Participants include President of Estonia Alar Karis, President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, President of Poland Karol Nawrocki, President of Romania Nicușor Dan, President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini, President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel, as well as representatives of Bulgaria and Hungary. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy was invited to the Bucharest Nine Summit. Also participating are President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno, and representatives of Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.