Zelensky in Vilnius: Ukraine’s Achievements in the Fight Against the Enemy and a Call for Continued Support
During the annual "Bucharest Nine" summit and the countries of Northern Europe in Vilnius, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky made a high-profile statement that drew the attention of the international community. The head of state presented the results of the SBU special operation codenamed "Spiderweb," which, in his view, serves as a vivid confirmation of Ukraine’s ability to conduct effective tactical warfare against the Russian aggressor, inflicting significant losses and prompting reconsideration of diplomatic avenues for resolving the conflict. Zelensky emphasized that this success is a testament to the high combat readiness and ability of the country to respond swiftly to wartime challenges, utilizing not only a powerful army but also modern tactical solutions. He underlined that the "Spiderweb" operation demonstrated Ukraine’s unique capacity to inflict losses on the enemy that make Russia reconsider its actions and possibly seek diplomatic solutions to end hostilities. The head of state expressed immense gratitude to international partners for their support in the military sphere. According to him, Europe and America are actively helping Ukraine not only financially but also through the development of joint projects for weapons production, significantly strengthening the country’s defense capabilities. Zelensky also noted that the world community has better weaponry at its disposal than Russia, and with the intellectual potential and tactical solutions, Ukrainian forces are capable of achieving significant results on their own. "Yesterday’s 'Spiderweb' operation proved this. Russia needs to feel what real losses mean, and this may push it toward seeking diplomatic understanding," stated the president, once again emphasizing the need to strengthen the country’s defensive power. Zelensky also highlighted regional risks, particularly Russia’s actions in Belarus and the potential threats to regional stability. He called on international partners to intensify efforts to deter Russia’s aggressive intentions in this direction and to contribute to stabilizing the situation around Ukraine. Equally important was the topic of meeting the country’s defensive needs. The president noted that Ukraine can currently satisfy up to 40% of its military equipment requirements through domestic production, but stable financial resources and investments in the military-industrial complex are necessary to improve this. External support, including investments in drones and innovative technologies, plays a crucial role. Zelensky paid particular attention to air defense systems. According to him, the country has an acute need for modern air defense installations, especially Patriot complexes and their missiles. He urged partners to respond quickly and assist Ukraine in deploying the necessary systems. "We know what is needed and understand it, and we are expecting concrete solutions in this area," Zelensky stressed. The background to his statements was the large-scale SBU special operation "Spiderweb," which took place on June 1, 2025. It is considered one of the largest and most complex sabotage operations against Russian military aviation. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the operation resulted in the destruction of 41 Russian military aircraft, including strategic bombers Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and the A-50 radar detection aircraft. This was a significant blow to Russian aviation capabilities and symbolizes the high level of tactical skill of Ukrainian special services. Diplomatic circles reacted to this event. The European Union Ambassador in Kyiv, Katarina Maternova, immediately stated that Ukraine has gained important positions in the war by leveraging its strengths and demonstrating the capacity for effective action. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, commenting on the successful Ukrainian strike on Russian military airfields, said: "Ukraine is successfully defending itself and following the path of courageous and justified actions." She emphasized that Western support should be not only symbolic but practical, as the results of Ukrainian operations show that with modern equipment and international aid, Ukrainian forces are capable of inflicting serious losses on the enemy. Amid the significant military successes, active discussions continue regarding further strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities and exploring new formats of international cooperation. All these developments indicate that the struggle of the Ukrainian people and their military for freedom and independence continues, and the global community understands that victory depends on joint efforts and firm decisions.