Ukraine outlines 2025 peace plan amid European support at summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Wednesday in Dubrovnik that the situation at the front provides an opportunity to implement a plan that could bring an end to the war in Ukraine by the end of 2025. He inaugurated the Summit of Southeastern European Countries and Ukraine with the Prime Minister of Croatia.
Decisive actions before the close of 2025 can conclude the war. Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the USA consistently strive to ensure Europe's security; together, we can achieve all we desire, proclaimed the President of Ukraine.
The Kremlin wants to destabilise Europe
Zelensky emphasised that the war in Ukraine poses a threat to the stability of Eastern Europe, and all Russian threats are genuine.
The Kremlin aims to destabilise Europe, both in the Balkans and the Baltic region, by interfering in other countries' affairs. Therefore, we must strengthen our defence capabilities and enter into bilateral security agreements, of which we already have 26 as Ukraine, Zelensky noted.
Before the summit commenced, the Presidents of Croatia and Ukraine signed an agreement on long-term cooperation and support between their countries, formalising existing cooperation in humanitarian aid and demining and prosecuting those responsible for war crimes.
Integration with the European Union
The President of Ukraine also addressed Kyiv's efforts, along with those of other countries participating in the summit in Dubrovnik, concerning European Union membership.
The European Union must unite the whole continent, all of Europe's democratic nations including your countries. If Europe is not united today it won't be peaceful, so that integration processes that have begun must reach their result, Zelensky emphasised.
In his opening speech, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the summit's host, recalled his country's support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Croatia has stood by Ukraine since 1991, and Ukraine was one of the first to recognise our independence. The multifaceted assistance includes £265 million in humanitarian, energy, and military support. Croatia has provided Ukraine with expertise regarding post-war issues such as demining and veteran care, additionally welcoming about 30,000 Ukrainian refugees and veterans to Croatian hospitals, Plenković listed.
Final declaration
After the discussions, summit participants are expected to sign a declaration, the main points of which will concern condemning Russian aggression, supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity, including confirming Crimea's belonging to Ukraine, supporting Zelensky's peace plan, prosecuting war criminals, and backing Kyiv on its path to the EU and NATO.
