On the sidelines of the Ukraine – South East Europe Summit in Tirana
Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Andrej Plenković in Tirana
On the sidelines of the Ukraine – South East Europe Summit in Tirana, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković.
The Head of State thanked Croatia and Andrej Plenković personally for supporting Ukraine during the Russian full-scale invasion.
"I thank Croatia for supporting our refugees during the war, and my best wishes to your entire society. Assistance to Ukraine in demining is also an important issue. I want to thank you for hosting our military and children for rehabilitation," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Croatia discussed the possibility of holding a Ukrainian-Balkan Defense Industry Forum.
The parties agreed to facilitate the conclusion of agreements between Ukraine and Croatian private companies producing demining, rescue equipment, and UAVs.
The President thanked Croatia for supporting Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Andrej Plenković also discussed topical issues of regional security.
President of Ukraine met with the President of Montenegro in Tirana
In the framework of the Ukraine – South East Europe Summit in Tirana, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović.
The Head of State thanked Montenegro for sheltering Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes due to the full-scale Russian invasion. The parties discussed the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian servicemen in Montenegro.
The President of Ukraine expressed gratitude for Montenegro's support for the G7 Vilnius Declaration and the Ukrainian Peace Formula, and informed the President of Montenegro about preparations for the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the overall architecture of Ukraine's efforts to restore a just and lasting peace.
The leaders coordinated cooperation between the two countries in the international arena.
Head of State met with the President of North Macedonia
In the framework of his participation in the Ukraine – South East Europe Summit in Tirana, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Republic of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski.
The Head of State praised North Macedonia's support for Ukraine at the political level. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the interlocutor for a clear position on the future membership of our country in NATO, which was confirmed in the Joint Declaration on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic Integration.
The President of Ukraine informed Stevo Pendarovski on the situation at the front and current defense needs of Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the importance of North Macedonia's participation in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland.
The leaders also discussed the creation of a hub for the rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian servicemen and the children of fallen defenders with the participation of the Balkan countries.
"If our friends help us, we can talk about a rehabilitation coalition. It will be very important if our Balkan friends can help organize such a platform with the participation of different countries," the Head of State said.
In Tirana, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of North Macedonia signed the Joint Declaration on Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine
During the Ukraine – South East Europe Summit in Tirana, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Talat Xhaferi signed a Joint Declaration on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration.
The document reaffirms North Macedonia's support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and invitation to join NATO when the conditions are met.
The parties reaffirmed mutual support in the process of negotiations on Ukraine's and North Macedonia's accession to the European Union.
The Joint Declaration also reaffirmed the intention to continue to provide Ukraine with comprehensive assistance in its struggle for the full restoration of its territorial integrity.
In particular, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of North Macedonia condemned Russia's atrocities against Ukrainian people and infrastructure, including energy facilities, schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings. They emphasized the need for the immediate and complete withdrawal of all Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized 1991 borders.
The parties recognized the need to further strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, in particular by providing our country with military equipment and weapons to deter Russian aggression.
In addition, the declaration welcomes North Macedonia's participation in the implementation of Ukraine's Peace Formula and states its interest in participating in the reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure damaged by Russian aggression.
The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of North Macedonia reaffirmed the importance of investigating war crimes on the territory of Ukraine, including the crime of aggression, and bringing the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international law. The declaration also supports the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
The leaders expressed willingness to develop bilateral and multilateral ties and deepen the potential for cooperation in various fields, including defense and security.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Talat Xhaferi discussed other topical issues of the bilateral agenda.
In Tirana, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina
In the framework of the Ukraine – South East Europe Summit in Tirana, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Krišto.
The Head of State thanked Bosnia and Herzegovina for political support of Ukraine in times of Russia's full-scale invasion.
"Thank you for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians, our territorial integrity. Thank you for being on our side from the first days of the full-scale war," the President said.
The parties discussed mutual support of Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina on their way to a common goal – full membership in the European Union.
"We are walking side by side and are ready to help each other on this path to the EU," the President noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Borjana Krišto discussed defense cooperation. The Head of State informed his interlocutor of Ukraine's defense needs, particularly in artillery and air defense.
The President of Ukraine thanked Bosnia and Herzegovina for its willingness to take part in the first Global Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland.