Zelenskyy at Bucharest Nine summit urges Europe to integrate Ukraine's combat experience into EU SAFE rearmament program and proposes bilateral drone deals
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 13 addressed the Bucharest Nine summit in Romania, calling for Europe to incorporate Ukraine's battlefield expertise into the EU's SAFE rearmament program and proposing bilateral drone deals with European countries. He argued that modern warfare requires not just weapons but real combat experience and rapid adaptation, which he said only Ukraine currently possesses. The summit took place as Russia launched its largest drone attack against western Ukraine, killing six civilians and reaching Zakarpattia Oblast for the first time.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 13 addressed the Bucharest Nine summit in Romania, calling for Europe to integrate Ukraine's battlefield expertise into the EU's SAFE rearmament program and proposing bilateral drone deals with European countries.
Speaking at the summit, which includes Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, Zelenskyy argued that modern warfare requires not just weapons but real combat experience and rapid adaptation. "It is not enough to simply possess weapons — real combat experience and the same speed of adaptation as the threat itself are also required," he said. "This experience exists only in Ukraine, only among our soldiers."
Zelenskyy urged that Ukraine's combat experience be incorporated into the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, which aims to support rapid rearmament and adaptation of European defense industries. He also proposed bilateral drone deals with European countries. "I believe we all need bilateral drone deals – agreements that will help integrate each part of national defense so that we can respond to modern threats by using European production capabilities and Ukraine's expertise, proven in real defense during real war," Zelenskyy said. He noted that he had discussed a "Drone Deal" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and said the system should develop "both at the level of European institutions and at the level of individual countries." As of May 11, Zelenskyy stated that 20 countries were already working with Ukraine on drone deals.
Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Romania on May 13. Olena Zelenska was to meet Romania's first lady and sign memoranda on Romanian universities joining the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies. The summit was also attended by NATO Secretary General and leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
While the summit was underway, Russia launched its largest drone attack against western Ukraine, killing six civilians. For the first time, Russian drones reached Zakarpattia Oblast, which borders Hungary. Zelenskyy said sanctions and long-range capabilities were having an effect, but stressed that "the decisive factor in the war remains the ability to physically stop the Russian army."