Zelensky Urges 'Unity' Behind Ukraine at European Summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called for Europe to stay united in support of Kyiv as he arrived in Britain for a summit with leaders from around the continent.

"For us, it's very important to maintain unity in Europe because this unity always leads to strong decisions," Zelensky said ahead of the meeting.

The Ukrainian leader will meet with around 45 leaders at the European Political Community summit at the grandiose Blenheim Palace near Oxford.

The gathering comes at what Zelensky described as a "tough period" for Ukraine in its war against Russia's invading forces.

Beyond the summit, Zelensky said he would hold separate talks with Britain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer and meet King Charles III.

"We will sign an intergovernmental agreement on support for the Ukrainian defense and industrial complex, discuss future defense cooperation, and expand our defense capabilities," Zelensky wrote on X.

"Since the first days of the full-scale invasion, the UK has been one step ahead in its determination to support Ukraine. This is the kind of resolve we need to stop Russian terror."

The call for a unified voice from Europe comes after Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban—who was attending the UK meeting—upset his EU counterparts by meeting Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

Orban visited Moscow on July 5 as part of what he described as a "peace mission" over the war in Ukraine, which also included visits to Kyiv, Beijing, and former US president Donald Trump.

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The Council’s legal service told EU envoys last week that Budapest’s actions could constitute a breach of the bloc’s treaties.

As he arrived at Blenheim, Orban told reporters in English when asked about his message to Ukraine: "We are with you."

But he added: "It is impossible to find a solution on the battlefield. The solution is not in the battlefield."

Ukraine and its backers in Europe are nervously eyeing Trump's bid to replace US President Joe Biden at elections in November out of fears the former reality TV star could pull the plug on Washington's support for Kyiv.