Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with the NATO Secretary General and leaders of the E5 countries: Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland. The talks took place on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Priorities: Air Defense and Sanction Pressure
The main focus during the conversation was on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense. Participants discussed, in particular, the issue of intercepting Iranian Shahed-type drones. The parties also emphasized the need to increase pressure on the Russian Federation due to its aggressive actions and unwillingness to end the war. Zelensky highlighted the importance of enhancing sanctions against the energy and banking sectors of Russia, combating the shadow fleet, and implementing secondary restrictions.
“We specifically discussed pressure on Russia. The Russian Federation is intensifying its offensive operations and shows no willingness to end the war. That is why it is necessary to work on their energy and banking sectors, against the shadow fleet, and to impose secondary sanctions,” Zelensky stated.
Support from Partners and NATO’s Position
The President thanked Western partners for their decisions regarding the provision of modern air defense systems, conducting training missions with fighter jets, as well as for new packages of military and humanitarian assistance.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that together with allies, France continues to apply pressure on Russia to achieve a sustainable peace, despite ongoing shelling and Russia’s refusal of peace initiatives.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, summarizing the results of the summit, stated that the strategic goal of the alliance remains to support Ukraine’s combat readiness to achieve sustainable peace in the future.