European Leaders Pledge Support for Ukraine on Independence Day
European leaders rallied in Kyiv for Ukraine's Independence Day, with Zelenskyy urging more deep-strike weapons and allies warning against normalizing Russia.
On Ukraine's Independence Day, leaders from the Coalition of the Willing gathered in Kyiv for a press conference, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the need for a competitive edge in long-range strike capabilities against Russia.
Zelenskyy highlighted the disparity in military spending, noting that Ukraine allocates approximately 140 billion euros annually for defense, while Russia's war budget is estimated at 340 billion euros. He argued that matching Russia's capacity for deep strikes is essential to pressure Moscow into negotiations.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb echoed this sentiment, pointing to polls indicating that 65% of the Russian population now desires an end to the war. He suggested that Ukrainian strikes on logistics hubs, such as the Wildberries distribution center, could increase that figure by an additional 10%, calling such tactics a sensible military strategy.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stressed that Ukraine's security is integral to Europe's safety. She advocated for both EU and NATO membership for Ukraine, describing these as the strongest possible security guarantees and a significant deterrent against further Russian aggression.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs cautioned against the normalization of Russia, citing recent decisions by international sports bodies like the FIA and the Olympics to allow Russian participation. He described this as a hybrid threat, particularly through Belarus, and urged unity, stating there should be no weak link in supporting Ukraine.