Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told EU leaders on Thursday that the future of Europe is being shaped on the battlefields of Ukraine and that the strongest security guarantee for the continent would be to grant Kyiv fast‑track EU membership.
He warned that Ukraine wants the war to end before winter, but will need air‑defense missiles, fuel and energy equipment to withstand another season of Russian attacks.
Addressing the summit via video, Zelensky said every democratic nation in Europe deserves a place in the EU, adding that Ukraine has “paid more than any other country for its right to be free, independent and European.” He argued that Europe’s future “free, united and in peace” is being decided through Ukraine’s defense.
His appeal came just hours after Ukrainian air strikes hit targets deep inside Russia, including a refinery in Moscow, part of a long‑range campaign Zelensky highlighted during meetings with US President Donald Trump and G7 leaders in France this week.
But not all EU members are aligned on accelerating Ukraine’s accession. Hungary successfully pushed to remove language about fast‑tracking membership from the European Council’s final statement. Even so, EU ambassadors last week agreed to begin formal membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova, opening the first of six legal and policy “clusters” required to align with EU standards.
Zelensky acknowledged the political resistance but insisted the bloc must be bold. “The most important step I know not everyone loves this could be a fast‑track path for Ukraine to join the EU,” he said.
In a separate message on Telegram, Zelensky reiterated his goal of ending the war this year through diplomacy and pressure on Moscow. But he cautioned that Russia’s president remains the central obstacle. “Putin is war,” he said, warning that if the conflict drags on, Ukraine will need at least 300 missiles, plus gas, diesel and critical energy equipment to survive the winter.
As Europe debates its next move, Kyiv is making clear that the stakes extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders and that the continent’s long‑term security may hinge on decisions made in the coming months.
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