Plenković reaffirms Croatia's support for Ukraine at Kyiv summit

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković joined around a dozen European leaders in Kyiv on Tuesday for ceremonies marking Ukraine's Statehood Day and the South-East Europe–Ukraine Summit.

It was Plenković's sixth visit to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began four years ago.

The summit focused on continued military and political support for Ukraine, the country's progress toward European Union membership, and closer defense industry cooperation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new EU-Ukraine defense-industrial partnership, including a joint drone initiative.

"Today, we can state a fact: we are producing 10 million drones a year. Ten million. And we will produce 20 million. We will do this together with our partners and once again prove the strength of our defense industries—Ukrainian, allied, and European," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"I am delighted that, together with you, Volodymyr, we are launching a new EU-Ukraine defense-industrial partnership. What we are signing today is our very own drone deal," von der Leyen said.

Addressing the summit, Plenković condemned Russia's invasion, describing it as a clear injustice.

"We know injustice when we see it. What has been happening to Ukraine for so long is a clear and grave injustice. You did not bring it upon yourselves. Europe did not provoke it. There is no other explanation than the simple and tragic fact that Russia—the world's third-largest country—wanted more territory. But the Ukrainian people decided otherwise, and Europe and the world stood by Ukraine. We will continue to do so," Plenković said.

Speaking in Ukrainian, the Croatian prime minister added: "Dear Ukrainians, statehood is not a gift of fate or something that comes into being on its own. It is built through hard work and defended with determination. Building a state is not easy, and defending it is even harder."