Zelensky in Vilnius: Unity among partners must provide real protection for Ukraine and Europe

During his visit to Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that international unity around Ukraine today is unprecedented and must work one hundred percent to truly protect not only our state, but all of Europe. He said this while speaking during a church service commemorating the participants of the January Uprising of 1863–1864.

Zelensky emphasised that the rebels of the 19th century could not even imagine the level of solidarity between nations that Ukraine's partners are demonstrating today. According to him, Poland and Lithuania are providing unprecedented assistance to Ukraine, and all the Baltic states, countries of Northern and Southern Europe, Germany, France, Great Britain, as well as the United States, Canada and Japan have joined in the support. This unity, the President stressed, is already working and yielding results.

At the same time, the head of state warned that it is too early to relax. The Russian military machine continues to operate, and dictatorships near Europe's borders are not weakening. Zelensky called for the most effective joint action not for a few months or until the next elections, but until the threat to European nations disappears completely.

During a joint press conference with the presidents of Lithuania and Poland, Zelensky also announced the results of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi. According to him, these meetings were the first in a long time not only at the diplomatic level, but also at the military level. A 20-point settlement plan is being discussed, and the number of problematic issues in the negotiation process has decreased, although Ukraine's position on territorial integrity remains unchanged.

The president stressed that Russia seeks to oust Ukraine from the entire east, but cannot achieve this goal by military means. According to him, the Ukrainian side is fighting for its land and is not conducting military operations on foreign territory. The US is trying to find compromise approaches, but for this, all parties must show a willingness to compromise.

Separately, Zelensky stated that Ukraine will be technically ready to join the European Union in 2027, and the opening of all negotiation clusters is possible as early as the first half of 2026. Kyiv insists on setting a specific date for EU accession in the agreement on ending the war as one of the key security guarantees and a safeguard against political blockage in the future.

According to the President, bilateral agreements with the United States remain the basic security guarantees for Ukraine. The relevant document, as Zelensky noted, is completely ready and awaiting the date and place of signing, after which it must be ratified by the US Congress and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

During his speeches in Vilnius, the head of state also drew attention to the role of Belarus, which, according to him, is in fact dependent on Moscow. Russia is supporting attacks on Ukraine from the territory of this country, and Belarusian industry and trade are working for the Russian war. Zelensky emphasised that Europe cannot allow any people who strive for freedom to be lost, and thanked the Belarusian volunteers who are fighting for Ukraine's independence.

Source and photo: website of the President of Ukraine

Vilnius, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Gitanas Nausėda, Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, Karol Nawrocki