DUBROVNIK: In an effort to stave off Russian forces, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union to “unite the whole continent” on Wednesday. However, US President Joe Biden canceled his scheduled trip to Europe in order to concentrate on the threat posed by Hurricane Milton to Florida, forcing the postponement of a crucial conference with international partners scheduled for this Saturday.
At the opening of the Dubrovnik summit, Zelensky declared that the EU needed to “unite the whole continent, all of Europe’s democratic nations including your countries.”
“Europe will not be peaceful if it is not united today, so the integration processes that have started must be completed,” he added, arguing in favor of his nation’s admission into the union along with that of several Balkan republics.
Zelensky and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic were joined at the negotiations by heads of state, premiers, and foreign ministers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkiye. The only EU members are Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, and Slovenia.
Prior to the summit, Zelensky declared that it “will discuss cooperation on the path to the European Union and NATO, as well as international efforts to bring peace closer.” In the face of uncertainty over US support following the November presidential election, the Ukrainian leader has increased efforts to garner support from other countries.
Zelensky stated that defense cooperation, demining, the rehabilitation of injured soldiers and children, as well as Ukraine’s recuperation and European integration, were the main topics of discussion with Plenkovic.
He stated on X, “Together, we will develop cooperation between our defense industries.” An agreement to cooperate was reached by the two leaders.
“Supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression is not only a matter of solidarity… it also represents a crucial geopolitical and security interest for us all,” Plenkovic emphasized at the summit’s beginning.
Zelensky claims that in order to offset Russia’s superiority in troops and weapons, his nation needs greater assistance. In recent months, Russia has advanced on the battlefield multiple times. He also requests authorization to strike military targets located deep within Russia with long-range weaponry provided by friends, such as the United States.
