Zelensky warns against European fragmentation at Blenheim summit

Just under two hours from London, at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, where Winston Churchill was born, 47 leaders from across the continent are talking about, among other things, supporting Kyiv, security, and migration at the European Political Community summit. This forum was established after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The fourth meeting of the assembly is an opportunity for new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to hold talks with leaders and demonstrate that support for Ukraine should come from the entire continent.

During his speech, Volodymyr Zelensky suggested to the leaders that references to Churchill should not end with just the symbolism of the place, as he pointed out that "it was courage that created Churchill." For this reason, he warned against breaking unity in Europe. "We value Churchill's jokes and remarks – although we probably wouldn't want to be the subjects of such biting humor," he emphasized, shortly after taking a jab at the Hungarian Prime Minister.

- If someone wants to go on a trip to the capital of war, to talk and possibly promise something against our common interests or at the expense of Ukraine or other countries, why should we consider that person? The European Union and NATO can also solve all their problems without this one person – said Zelensky.

Although Viktor Orban's name was not mentioned, no one present had any doubts that it was a sharp response to his unauthorized visit to Moscow and an unapproved "peace plan."

During his speech, the President of Ukraine said that Ukraine is preparing for the second peace summit, which will precede the work of working groups. They will deal with, among other things, energy security, food security, and humanitarian issues, including the release of prisoners and the return of deportees. Zelensky wants representatives of Russia to participate in the talks, tentatively planned for November, as he has signaled recently. - It is very important for us to present a plan to end the war that will gain the support of most of the world - he stated at the end of June.

- I ask you all to support these efforts, to join the joint work and to choose the points where you can demonstrate your leadership. And please, this is very important – convince partners around the world that they too must be brave regardless of threats and blackmail – their joint efforts are needed for the sake of peace. When the aggressor loses – the world wins. This has happened many times in human history. The same must happen this time in the face of Russia's aggression - he emphasized at Blenheim.

In the corridors of the summit in the United Kingdom, Orban said that he "has no idea" why European leaders do not support his peace mission. In informal talks, leaders unequivocally emphasize that the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is responsible for conducting European policy, and the Hungarian presidency is not empowered to conduct peace talks or to conduct such talks with Putin.

Such a position was directly presented on Wednesday by Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in London during a Q&A session at the Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham House. In response to Budapest's independent actions, leaders will boycott Hungarian presidency events or lower the rank of participants. Just before the start of the summit at Blenheim, the Hungarian Prime Minister was noticeably isolated.

The Prime Minister and the foreign minister participated in the European Political Community summit. Donald Tusk's schedule also included bilateral meetings with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Moldovan President Maia Sandu.