Tirana, May 16 -- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a series of meetings with European leaders and held discussions with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden.

President Zelenskyy emphasised the need to increase international pressure on Russia and stressed that a ceasefire is the first step toward achieving peace. The talks also focused on bolstering military support, enhancing Ukraine's air defence and defence production capabilities, and accelerating Ukraine's path toward European Union membership.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "I held a meeting with the President of the European Council ...