Zelensky warns Europe must decide where to strike Russian forces
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Helsinki Security Forum that negotiating with Vladimir Putin is futile and Europe must choose where to confront Russia militarily.
At the Helsinki Security Forum, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that negotiating with Vladimir Putin would be a mistake, as Russia aims to re-establish Soviet-style control over the region, not merely seize eastern Ukraine. He referenced a 2021 Russian draft treaty that demanded NATO members stop expansion and cease all military actions in Ukraine and other bordering states, effectively recreating a Molotov-Ribbentrop-type order.
Zelensky highlighted recent reports of thousands of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and cluster munitions used against Kyiv, Kharkiv and other civilian targets. He called for urgent delivery of Patriot systems, long-range precision weapons, and increased NATO air support. The president also noted Russia’s growing missile production and drone capabilities, underscoring the need for a decisive European response to prevent further devastation.
Why it matters
The speech signals a push for stronger European military aid to Ukraine amid fears of broader Russian aggression.
How this story developed
- Sep 4 Russia threatens UK and German bases as sabotage risks push NATO toward war
- Sep 29 The assaults involved missiles and roughly 190 drones targeting Kyiv's communication and energy facilities, as well as critical sites in Zjytomyr, Mykolajiv, Kirovohrad, Rivne, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Tsjerkasy. Officials reported multiple deaths, among them a child, and a number of injuries across the country. Power outages affected thousands of households, but DTEK engineers restored electricity to about 8,000 homes. Neighboring NATO members Romania and Poland deployed fighter jets to patrol their airspace during the attacks.
- Oct 1 Russia's embassy in Ireland issued a warning that it could employ all its weapons, including nuclear, to defend Kaliningrad if NATO attempts to isolate the exclave.
- Oct 2 Russian drones struck Kyiv’s Southern and Paton bridges and a residential block in Darnytskyi district.
- Oct 2 Vladimir Poutine a décidé d’agir « sans plus aucune règle » contre des cibles civiles, affirme Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Oct 3 Historian Brendan Simms warned that the return of great‑power competition is reshaping security and challenging Swiss defence.
- Oct 3 Russian strikes hit Kyiv's Northern Bridge, damaging the road and trolleybus lines and prompting traffic limits between the city’s east and west sides.
- Oct 3 The Northern Bridge was struck after earlier attacks closed the Southern Bridge.
- Oct 3 A Russian drone hit the Northern Bridge, stopping traffic on that crossing.
- Oct 4 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and business delegates, pledging continued German support for Ukraine.
- Oct 4 Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Zelensky said Ukraine and Germany are already jointly producing drones, Ukraine will buy more weapons and equipment from Germany, and a drone‑unit programme in Germany has begun wi
- Oct 4 City officials reported at least 16 deaths and over 100 injuries from the recent wave of drone attacks.
- Oct 4 Merz announced a new German military assistance package and energy support during his Kyiv visit.
- Oct 4 Russian drone hit the Northern Bridge on Oct 4, marking the fourth consecutive day of bridge attacks.
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