Zelensky urges Europe to develop more autonomous defense capabilities

AA / Moscow / Elena Teslova

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Bucharest Nine summit in Romania that Europe should move towards greater unity and, in certain areas, have more autonomous defense capabilities.

Zelensky shared his speech on the social network Telegram, in which he also asserted that the continent cannot rely on changing geopolitical conditions.

 Europe cannot depend on changing geopolitical moods,†Zelensky said, calling for deeper integration of resources, production and defense capabilities to strengthen the EU and NATO.

He said Ukraine exports its security expertise abroad, including to the Persian Gulf countries and regions such as the Middle East and the South Caucasus, and is starting similar cooperation in Europe.

Zelensky highlighted a proposed “Drone Deal” for the EU, which he said he had discussed with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and said these initiatives should be developed at the EU institutional level and through agreements bilateral.

He emphasized that modern warfare is evolving rapidly and that having weapons is not enough without real combat experience and the ability to adapt quickly, which Ukraine currently possesses.

 This experience exists only in Ukraine, only among our soldiers,†Zelensky said, urging partners not to delay and invest in joint defense production and cooperation.

He said these efforts should be reflected in the EU’s Security in Europe (SAFE) programme, which aims to support the rapid rearmament and adaptation of European defense industries to current security challenges.

Zelensky also called for continued diplomatic pressure on Russia, saying sanctions and “long-range capabilities,” referring to Ukraine’s drone attacks, were already having an effect.

He urged support for the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, calling it a critical tool for Ukraine to acquire anti-missile systems while European production capacity is still developing.

At the same time, he warned against a separation of economic and security priorities, saying that energy prices, fuel costs and European competitiveness are directly linked to security.

*Translated from English by Ayse Bashoruz