This comes just days after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted, casting doubt on whether the US will continue providing aid to the war-torn nation. Joe Biden expressed his worries on Wednesday regarding the effect of the House Speaker vacancy on the flow of aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky however reported he was still confident the US would continue support and funding to Ukraine and that his meetings with Biden and Congress last month were positive. He responded that it was "too late for us to worry" when pressed on these fears.
"Our joint goal is to ensure the security and stability of our common European home," Zelensky said in a post on X upon landing in Spain. "We are working together with partners on enhancing the European security architecture, particularly regional security."
"Ukraine's key priority, particularly as winter approaches, is to strengthen air defense," he added. "We have already laid the groundwork for new agreements with partners and look forward to their approval and implementation."
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In his address to leaders, Zelensky hammered down the point that at the end of the day, Ukraine is Europe, adding that the continent must rise up as the US deals with a "growing political storm."
"Each of us represents Europe," he said. "We may have our own views and, at times, different opinions on European issues. But still, we are all Europe. And it's not just about geography. It's about history, morality, and security that we share."
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Zelensky went on to say European leaders should be thankful that their soldiers do not have to fight in Russia, and warned against future aggression from Vladimir Putin.
He stressed the importance of providing military aid to Ukraine, lest the war find its way further west.
After meeting with Zelensky, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said her nation will "continue to provide firm, all-round support to the Ukrainian authorities for the defence of critical infrastructure and for Kyiv's needs in view of the winter season, for as long as necessary and with the goal of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace."
Meloni's sentiments were shared by the vast majority of her fellow leaders, though no binding agreements were made.
