Zelenskiy asks gathering of European leaders for security guarantees

Addressing leaders attending the first meeting of the European Political Community, a gathering that brought together almost every nation on the continent except Russia and Belarus, Zelenskiy urged them to support Ukraine in their own self-interest.

Zelenskiy announced Ukraine was applying to join Nato last week, hours after Russia said it was annexing four Ukrainian provinces.

As countries face soaring energy prices and economic headwinds, leaders arriving on the red carpet under cloudy skies declared the meeting was a sign of unity in support of Ukraine against Russia.

Leaders have billed the forum as a chance to make progress on energy infrastructure projects and curbing the number of migrants seeking to reach Europe. But no precise outcomes were expected; nor was there a summit communique outlining agreed goals from the disparate group of countries, ranging from Scandinavian social democracies to the autocratic regime of Azerbaijan.

Speaking after the meeting, the Czech host, Fiala, confirmed that Moldova would host the next EPC summit, followed by Spain and the UK. Leaders intend to meet every six months, with the host city switching between EU and non-EU countries.

The EU has organised the first meeting, but officials have tried to take a step back to avoid the impression of creating an anteroom to EU membership.

The EU official also said there would be a request to non-EU partners to align on sanctions against Russia, although other sources downplayed the likelihood of pressure being exerted at the summit. Neither Turkey, which has sought to be a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war, nor Serbia, a candidate to join the EU with historical ties to Moscow, has signed up to EU sanctions.