Zelensky was invited to the last top meeting in Brussels and presented to the EU leaders what Ukraine needs and how he views potential peace negotiations.
He was worried, not least before the winter, when it comes to the energy system, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party) after the meeting.
It is clear that Zelensky wants to see unity across the Atlantic, even after Donald Trump has taken over as American president on January 20. When asked how he feels about this, Zelensky responds: Welcome, Donald!
I really want to have him on our side, it's very important for me. We need unity to get peace. Only together can the USA and EU stop Putin and save Ukraine, says Zelensky.
Clear Guarantees
In the evening before the top meeting, Zelensky met with NATO chief Mark Rutte and a group of heavy EU leaders. One of Ukraine's demands is to get clear security guarantees.
It's not enough with European security guarantees for Ukraine. The only real guarantee is NATO, says Zelensky.
He does not want to comment publicly on how the discussions are going, and what the security guarantees can look like in concrete terms.
During the top meeting, he has, among other things, talked about the need for doubled production in the Ukrainian defense industry and bomb shelters and food for Ukrainian schoolchildren. And about his concern for energy.
Russia is directing many of its attacks against the Ukrainian energy system, which is causing major problems. Ukraine needs help to protect the facilities and Zelensky has requested at least 19 air defense systems.
Deliveries are on their way from Canada and Germany, according to Zelensky, but more is needed. And it's almost everything.
It's a tough situation, there's no doubt about it. The more important it is to draw the right conclusion from a tough situation – that we do everything we can to increase our support and maintain American support, says Kristersson.
Soldiers on Site
A long line of EU leaders states that the best way to peace is to make Ukraine stronger.
Everyone wants peace, but it must be a peace that is based on Ukraine's terms, says Kristersson.
One of several questions that is buzzing is whether European soldiers should be stationed in Ukraine in a peacekeeping force.
There is no concrete about this. It's a question that will come much later, after we have started peace negotiations on Ukraine's terms, says Kristersson.
And any presence of Swedish soldiers will not become relevant until there is a peace agreement.
No, I have a very hard time seeing that, says Kristersson.
In a joint statement from the EU leaders' top meeting in Brussels, the EU reiterates its condemnation of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and "its continued support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders".
The top meeting also calls for "swiftly increasing efforts, particularly when it comes to delivering air defense systems, ammunition, and rockets".
Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy system are specifically condemned, as well as the support the country receives from other countries to maintain its war. The actions of Iran and North Korea are described as an "international escalation of the war with serious consequences for peace and security".
Source: European Council
