Zelenskyy discusses peace talks, military funding, and Chelsea funds; Xi concludes North Korea visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed openness regarding Europe's representation in future peace negotiations with Russia, emphasizing that any involvement should avoid mere "mediation" or repeating past mistakes. He highlighted Europe's essential role due to the war's impact on continental security. Zelenskyy also conveyed Ukraine's hope for international financial support to establish a contract-based military system, stating that "being a soldier now is dangerous." Concurrently, discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer continued concerning the potential use of funds from the sale of Roman Abramovich's Chelsea Football Club to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Separately, Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded his two-day visit to Pyongyang, where he and North Korean leaders affirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across various sectors and deepening mutual understanding. Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда