Ukrainian president tells Vilnius summit that latest military strike proves Moscow only responds to battlefield pressure
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Russia's path to diplomacy is being driven by battlefield losses, pointing to Ukraine's recent “Operation Spider Web” as proof that Moscow only engages when it feels military pressure.
Speaking at the opening of the Vilnius Summit with the B9 countries of Lithuania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary, as well as Nordic countries, Zelenskyy said: “Our Operation Spider Web yesterday (Sunday) proved that Russia must feel what its losses mean. That is what will push it toward diplomacy.”
While Russia has launched its summer offensive, Zelenskyy said Ukraine and its allies maintain military superiority in both weaponry and tactics.
He also thanked the regional partners for defense support and investments in arms production, both in Ukraine and in their countries.
“Europe, together with America, has better weapons than Russia,” he noted. “We also have stronger tactical solutions.”
He emphasized the urgent need for additional support, especially in air defense systems like the US-made Patriot, as well as sustained funding to increase Ukraine's domestic weapons production, which he said could cover up to 40% of needs.
Turning to diplomacy, Zelenskyy said Ukraine's delegation is currently in Istanbul for renewed talks with Russia, but warned that peace depends on concrete first steps.
“A ceasefire and humanitarian actions — including prisoner exchanges and the return of abducted children — must be the starting point,” he said. “If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, then clearly strong new sanctions are urgently needed.”
A trilateral meeting between delegations from Türkiye, Russia, and Ukraine is scheduled for Monday at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.
The meeting marks the second round of negotiations hosted by Türkiye, following the May 16 session in Istanbul, where the parties agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each and outlined their positions on a potential cease-fire. The sides also committed to continuing dialogue to de-escalate the ongoing conflict.
Ankara has maintained close ties with both Moscow and Kyiv throughout the war and has repeatedly offered its mediation to facilitate dialogue and peace efforts.
Zelenskyy also called on the EU to advance its 18th sanctions package and urged the US to deliver on “the strongest sanctions President (Donald) Trump promised,” particularly targeting Russian oil, tankers, and banks.
He also unity in the face of continued threats, including possible new offensives from Belarus, and stressed that Russia must never be allowed to influence NATO decisions.
“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin chose to stand against Europe, so he has no place in deciding its future,” he said. “Euro-Atlantic security is a business of Euro-Atlantic nations.”
