President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the annual Yalta European Strategy (YES) meeting in Kyiv, saying that despite a difficult situation on the battlefield, Ukraine maintains control of the front. He emphasized the need to build a joint multi-component air defense system with Europe and the United States and to increase pressure on Russia.
According to Zelensky, Russia’s advantage lies in its numbers and in adapting new technologies, particularly drones, but claims of a rapid advance in the east are disinformation. “What I’ve heard – that they are advancing and will occupy the east within three months – is a lie. They will not achieve this in years,” he said.
The president stressed that NATO has not failed in response to Russian drones over Poland, but called on allies to provide Ukraine with weapons capable of striking drone production sites in Russia. He also urged tougher sanctions against companies supplying Moscow with components for missiles, drones, and military equipment.
Zelensky said that intercepting 800 Shahed drones requires twice as many interceptors and urged partners to take swift decisions. He underlined that the United States has the power to influence the Kremlin and could push Vladimir Putin toward dialogue. The president also confirmed his readiness to consider Donald Trump’s proposal for a potential negotiation format.
In his speech, Zelensky thanked participants for their support, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and U.S. President’s special envoy General Keith Kellogg. He expressed confidence that supplying Ukraine with modern air defense systems and combat aircraft would force Russia to halt its attacks.
The president noted that security guarantees for Ukraine would mean security guarantees for all of Europe. He called for Russia’s further isolation through sanctions and asset confiscation, rejecting the idea of territorial concessions in exchange for halting aggression. “Only together can we achieve peace. And only if we respond strongly to all questions regarding this war,” Zelensky concluded.