Zelenskyy outlines European role in peace talks, seeks funding; Xi concludes North Korea visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has further elaborated on Europe's potential involvement in future peace negotiations with Russia, stating he is open to how European partners are represented, provided it avoids mere "mediation" or past errors. He emphasized Europe's crucial role due to continental security implications. Zelenskyy also reiterated Ukraine's need for international financial assistance to transition its military to a contract-based system, noting that "being a soldier now is dangerous." Separately, discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer continued regarding the utilization of funds from the sale of Roman Abramovich's Chelsea Football Club to enhance Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Meanwhile, 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