Zelensky embarks on European tour to boost support before winter

2024-10-10 10:37:49, Kosova & Bota CNA

Zelensky embarks on European tour to boost support before winter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Britain. Photo of July 18.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to embark on a tour of the capitals of European allies as he aims to secure more financial and military support for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, his country continues to face daily attacks from Russia and a Russian offensive in the east that is making progress.

Zelensky will start his trip on Thursday in London, where he will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

These meetings will take place a day after a summit of Ukrainian supporters at the Ramstein base was canceled shortly before it was due to start.

Zelensky's press office has said that he will start negotiations "with key partners, on whom our strength depends."

A spokesman for Starmer told reporters that the prime minister would "reiterate unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression".

The Ukrainian leader is also expected to hold meetings in Paris, with the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, then he will travel to Rome, to meet with the Italian prime minister, Geogria Meloni, with Pope Francis in the Vatican, and with the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Berlin.

Zelensky also has his eyes on the United States, from where he aims to gain as much support as possible, before the presidential elections, which will be held in November.

The US is the main supporter of Ukraine and the biggest contributor, although a victory of the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, could change the situation in Washington.

On October 9, Zelensky participated in a summit with Balkan leaders in Croatia, in which he spoke about the importance of European unity for a lasting peace.

"Nobody in Europe needs to be reminded how important peace is, especially here in the Balkans. What happens here in the Balkans, and what happens in Ukraine, in a way determines the stability of the whole of Europe," Zelensky said.

Summit participants have adopted a statement condemning Russia's war in Ukraine, supporting Zelensky's efforts for peace, Ukraine's membership in NATO, and post-war state reconstruction.

The war in Ukraine started on February 24, 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the war a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia, hitting the economy of this country with harsh sanctions.

As a result of the war, thousands of people have died and millions more have been displaced from their homes./ REL