Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the European Political Community Summit in Budapest, stating that Russia's war has escalated significantly since their last meeting and accusing Russia of causing this escalation. He also mentioned North Korea is effectively waging war in Europe with soldiers attempting to kill Ukrainians.

Since the European Political Community Summit in Britain in July, there has been much talk about the need to yield to Putin, to back down, to make some 'concessions'.

North Korea is now, in effect, waging war in Europe. North Korean soldiers are attempting to kill our people on European soil.

Ukraine is grateful for all the support from our partners, and we are open to any constructive ideas to achieve just peace for our country

President Zelenskyy warned that ideas about a ceasefire without security guarantees may lead to further occupation and destruction of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy claimed that Russia has always violated ceasefire agreements since 2014, leading from the occupation of Crimea to full-scale invasion.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that increasing assistance from DPRK, Iran, and China to Russia is a serious threat.

Støre noted that DPRK military personnel have recently been involved in hostilities against Ukraine.

Total aid from European countries to Ukraine is now the largest, with Northern Europe and Baltic States second only to the US.