As Ukraine marks three years since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion, the country’s capital has become the center of crucial diplomatic talks. President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that the high-stakes summit, which includes representatives from Europe and beyond, could mark a turning point in Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty and international support.
A Summit of Global Importance
According to Wirtualna Polska, 13 international partners have already arrived in Kyiv, with 24 more participating via video link. Among those in attendance are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and several European heads of state, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Von der Leyen underscored the summit’s significance, stating on X: “We are in Kyiv today because Ukraine is Europe. In this fight for survival, the stakes are not just Ukraine’s fate but the future of Europe itself.”
Seeking Security Guarantees
President Zelensky has emphasized that the summit’s primary goal is to secure stronger European commitments for Ukraine’s defense and long-term security. He also suggested that an upcoming meeting in a European capital could determine what form these security guarantees will take.
"We will understand within the next week or two what kind of security assurances Ukraine can receive," Zelensky said, signaling that negotiations remain ongoing.
Zelensky Open to Stepping Down for Ukraine’s Future
In a dramatic statement during a press conference, Zelensky expressed his willingness to resign if it would ensure Ukraine’s NATO membership or lasting peace.
"If it truly takes me leaving my position to achieve peace or Ukraine’s NATO accession, I am ready. If those are the conditions, I would step down immediately," he stated.
As Kyiv hosts this pivotal summit, Ukraine and its allies are at a crossroads. The decisions made in the coming weeks could shape not only the course of the war but also Ukraine’s long-term position within Europe and the global order.
