Zelenskyy met with Lithuanian President Nausėda on the eve of the Three Seas summit, discussing the consequences of Russian strikes, Ukraine's urgent need for air defense, and the situation on the battlefield.
NATO's ability to rapidly deploy up to 500,000 troops to its eastern borders in response to Russian aggression depends on overcoming obstacles such as bureaucracy and fragile rail infrastructure, especially in Germany.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonite said that Western military instructors could go to Ukraine to train Ukrainian soldiers if proper air defense is provided, and that experts could help with cybersecurity, demining, and border protection.
According to U. S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Ukraine will eventually become a NATO member, and the Alliance's support is "firm.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna says that the key opponents of Ukraine's invitation to NATO are the United States and Germany, which urge Kyiv not to spoil the "atmosphere" at the upcoming summit in Washington.
Representatives of the ICIP and UNESCO discussed plans for the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites and infrastructure in Ukraine affected by the Russian invasion, including monitoring of damage, training of military and judicial personnel, and organization of international conferences on the protection of cultural property.
Ukraine will receive the first batches of shells under the Czech ammunition initiative in the foreseeable future, which will allow Ukrainian forces at the front to experience an increase in supplies in the near future.
Gabrielius Landsbergis believes that the time has come for discussions about the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine, as they destroy the red lines that Western politicians have created for themselves. He also called for quick action, as endless debates without solutions are weakening Europe.
NATO nations are rotating air defense systems, including Patriot systems, to Lithuania to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities in the Baltic region in response to concerns about russian aggression.
Ukraine is on track to join NATO, with strong relations and structures such as the NATO-Ukraine Council, despite the Russian invasion aimed at stopping NATO's eastward expansion.
Prime Minister Shmyhal expects Ukraine to sign security agreements with all G7 countries to receive financial and military support in the coming years.
Italy and Ukraine signed a long-term security cooperation agreement that lays a solid foundation for a long-term security partnership and defines areas of bilateral cooperation, including military, financial and humanitarian assistance.
Denmark and Ukraine sign an agreement that confirms Denmark's long-term military and financial support for Ukraine, including at least €1. 8 billion in aid and Danish support for Ukraine's air force as part of an aviation coalition.
Zelenskyy and Rutte discussed further defense support for Ukraine, including air defense and artillery, as well as the transfer of F-16 fighter jets and preparations for the Global Peace Summit.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz avoided direct answers about providing Ukraine with long-range missiles and supporting Ukraine's accession to NATO.
In the Russian city of St. Petersburg, security forces began to disperse a rally in memory of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and detained more than 20 people, including journalists.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to sign bilateral security agreements with Germany and France during his visits to Berlin and Paris.
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of cooperation between NATO and the EU to provide long-term defense support to Ukraine.
The head of the Canadian delegation, the Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada, emphasized Canada's steadfastness and readiness to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine to overcome russian aggression.