Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned European NATO members in The Hague today that they risk being attacked by Russia if it is not defeated in Ukraine.
At the plenary session of the NATO Summit Forum for Defense Industries, Zelensky called on European NATO members to reach an agreement at tomorrow's meeting on increasing defense spending to five percent of gross domestic product, as insisted on by US President Donald Trump.
Zelensky stated that it is necessary to stop Russia now, while it is waging war against Ukraine, adding that its leader Vladimir Putin's goals reach beyond that country.
"Russia is planning new military operations on NATO territory, meaning in your countries. European countries must increase defense spending," Zelensky added.
Some time later, ahead of a meeting with top officials of the European Union and NATO, he said that the unity of the alliance, of all of Europe and the EU is important for Ukraine.
"You provide us with strong support, helping Ukrainians outside Ukraine to live, and our people in the country to survive. I am grateful that you remain with us," Zelensky said.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the alliance's European members and Canada are increasing the amount of aid to Ukraine this year.
"Before the end of the first half of the year, we pledged 35 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine, and last year 50 billion euros were allocated for the whole year. We can safely assume that the total amount for 2025 will be higher than in 2024. This shows that support for Ukraine continues," said Rute.
He stated that NATO leaders will confirm their continued support for Ukraine at tomorrow's meeting, adding that this support is closely linked to the expected increase in defense spending to five percent of gross domestic product.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Zelensky that he is "among friends" who have stood by Ukraine since the first day of the Russian invasion and on whom he can count in the future.
"We have just discussed how important it is for Europe to invest in the highly agile and innovative Ukrainian military industry. That is why we have designed a €150 billion financing program, through which member states, Ukraine and other partners have access to loans for direct investment in the Ukrainian defense sector," said Von der Leyen.
She added that the allies' continued financial support for Kiev exists because they know that Ukraine is protecting their values and principles by defending itself against Russian invasion.
Košta said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine remains the greatest threat to peace in the world because it undermines the international order.
Zelensky has numerous meetings on the sidelines of the two-day NATO summit, but the highest-level NATO-Ukraine Council will not be held at that gathering this year, unlike last year's summit in Washington, because the US was against it.
Instead, a working dinner of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of foreign ministers is underway. At the same time, Zelensky is among the leaders in The Hague tonight for whom King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands are hosting a gala dinner.
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