Estonian PM to meet with Nordic-Baltic colleagues, Zelenskyy in Copenhagen

TALLINN - Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal is to meet with his Nordic-Baltic (NB8) colleagues and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Copenhagen on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the next steps toward achieving a lasting and just peace, including security guarantees and continued pressure on Russia.

"Since the meeting in Washington, good progress has been made in planning security guarantees for Ukraine. Today we will continue those discussions," the Estonian prime minister said before the meeting.

"It is symbolic that Ukraine's strongest supporters and closest friends are gathering on the same day Putin is sitting at a military parade with his autocratic friends," he added.

"Ukraine wants peace and has shown readiness to negotiate with Russia to achieve it," Michal said. "Russia does not want peace. Instead, it continues its brutal attacks against Ukraine. Putin has not agreed to a cease-fire nor made any concessions."

The head of government said that it is crucial that Ukraine itself be included in the talks on the path to a just and lasting peace.

"Nothing about Ukraine will be agreed without Ukraine. That is why a face-to-face discussion with President Zelenskyy is especially valuable," Michal said.

The prime minister also confirmed the unwavering support of the Nordic-Baltic countries for Ukraine.

"As a region and as individual countries, we are proportionally the largest supporters of Ukraine and contributors to our own defense. We will continue on this course," he said. "We firmly support Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity," Michal stressed.

The meeting of the Baltic and Nordic leaders with the Ukrainian president will take place at Marienborg, the residence of the Danish prime minister. Denmark holds the NB8 presidency this year.