Zelensky summarized the ‘Ramstein’ and the European Council meeting: Ukraine is strong – everyone recognizes this 19.06.2026 09:08 Ukrinform President Volodymyr Zelensky, following the negotiations in Brussels, stated that the key discussion topics were the strengthening of air defense, army funding, and an anti-ballistic program. This was communicated by the head of state to journalists, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent. “We had ‘Ramstein,’ and in Brussels, there was a meeting of the Ukraine-European Council. This was the longest meeting involving Ukraine in our history, and truly very important. The main conclusions from all partners: Ukraine is strong – everyone acknowledges this, absolutely,” said Zelensky. He noted that Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not wish to stop, and his talk about allegedly wanting peace is a lie. “All partners, all Europeans feel this. But everyone is confident that together we will stop him. The key is that we will stop him together,” the President stated. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine needs air defense and funds for the army, for military contracts, today. “Partners agree, we will all work on this,” Zelensky remarked. He separately highlighted the significance of the European anti-ballistic program. “Ukraine does not give up, so we will definitely push this through. This is our initiative, now together with our partners. Putin wants everything to burn, and he is mad – partners feel this. Ukraine is ready for negotiations with him, despite this,” declared the head of state. According to him, Putin fears the return of his army home, which is why he is so afraid of the war ending without victory. “There will be no victory. He is physically afraid of his army. And therefore, if there is no ceasefire without concrete security guarantees, he will return to war. And this time, others could be under attack,” Zelensky cautioned. Regarding NATO, the President noted that Ukraine is effectively the second army of the Alliance today, not inferior to the second army in the world. “And therefore, we, precisely we, are needed by NATO de jure. This is already a fact, recognized by all leaders. Putin will be in the Kremlin until death, and he has one goal – the restoration of the Soviet Union. This is impossible without Ukraine, and that is why it is not easy for us, dear Ukrainians,” said the President. He reminded that during ‘Ramstein,’ Ukraine received confirmation from nine countries for the PURL program, “and this means missiles for ‘Patriots’ worth over a billion.” As reported, at the European Council meeting, EU leaders made a political decision to extend sectoral sanctions against the Russian Federation for 12 months instead of the usual six. Following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov announced one of the largest aid packages within the PURL US arms supply program, valued at one billion dollars. A package for the supply of long-range artillery shells was also announced. Regarding new commitments from Contact Group participants, including new programs being launched, the total aid could amount to approximately $4 billion. Photo: OP Summit European Council Zelensky Meeting Ramstein