ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke separately with the leaders of Austria, the UK and Norway to discuss recent trilateral diplomatic meetings in the United Arab Emirates and set a target of 2027 for Kyiv's accession to the EU.

Zelenskyy held a phone call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating that Ukraine is ready to work "24/7 to achieve a dignified peace" and confirming that diplomatic dialogue will continue later this week.

"Ukraine wants to end this war as quickly as possible," Zelenskyy said after the conversation with Starmer, adding that Russia must show readiness to stop the bloodshed rather than attacking energy infrastructure.

He thanked Starmer for the UK's "concrete energy aid packages" and expressed hope that discussions on strengthening air defense would yield results.

"Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is one of the key security guarantees not only for us, but also for all of Europe," Zelenskyy wrote on US social media company X, regarding his conversation with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker. "That is why we are speaking about a concrete date – 2027 – and we count on partners’ support for our position."

The Ukrainian president briefed Stocker and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on the "trilateral format" meetings involving Ukrainian, American and Russian delegations held recently in the UAE.

Zelenskyy noted that while the parties primarily discussed military issues, security guarantees were also on the agenda, describing his team's work as "constructive and substantive."

Addressing the situation on the ground, the Ukrainian leader stated that Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy sector and infrastructure continue daily, which he noted "undermines diplomatic efforts."

He thanked Vienna and Oslo for their financial and material support to sustain Kyiv's energy grid.

Regarding the call with Store, Zelenskyy emphasized Norway's readiness to join recovery efforts and post-war economic development, adding that the two nations will continue to expand cooperation in building "modern defense capabilities."

Ukraine applied for EU membership shortly after the war with Russia began in 2022 and has been pushing for accelerated integration as a security mechanism. Russia and Ukraine held discussions Friday and Saturday on possible peace settlement options with US mediation.