President Volodymyr Zelensky Delivers Address
Speaking at a summit of first ladies and gentlemen, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow will seek to destabilize European nations one by one. The Kremlin, he said, is betting that Europe will grow tired before Russia's economy collapses. Beyond military force, Russia is expected to use crises, indecision among governments, and the refusal of some states to offer help as weapons.
Zelensky stressed that a coordinated response is essential in the face of these threats. In his view, every country is weaker when it stands alone. The dangers he cited include:
- wars
- cyberattacks
- energy blackmail
- disinformation
- food and climate crises
"Resilience is a team sport. You cannot have a resilient country next to one that has collapsed." – Volodymyr Zelensky
The address came shortly after Ukraine marked 35 years since independence, a milestone recognized by leaders from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Germany, Azerbaijan, and the Nordic and Baltic countries. Those leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine's sovereignty, its European path, and the goal of a just and lasting peace.
Zelensky went on to call for stronger unity and the construction of an "architecture of resilience," arguing that Russia cannot break Europe all at once and will instead try to drive the continent apart through new divisions. "We have to invest in ever greater unity," he insisted. His warning underscores the continuing need for allied coordination at a time when Russian pressure extends far beyond the battlefield.