On Friday, [someone] visited the front – line city of Kupiansk, just weeks after Russia claimed its forces had taken control.
In a video posted on X, Zelenskyy can be seen wearing a flak jacket and speaking in front of a severely damaged Cyrillic sign that reads “Kupiansk.”
“Today, I’m in the [location], with our warriors who are fulfilling their duties for Ukraine here,” he stated. “The Russians kept talking about Kupiansk – the reality is self – explanatory. I visited our troops and congratulated them.”
Russian state media outlet Tass reported in November that Russian forces had “liberated” the city of Kupiansk in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, citing a briefing from Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff of Russia’s armed forces, to President Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy’s visit occurs as he and his negotiating team are preparing for a [meeting] on Sunday in Berlin with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son – in – law Jared Kushner to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
He is also expected to hold talks with European leaders regarding a broader [issue] and to ensure long – term safety for Ukraine, as well as plans to support the country’s postwar recovery and development.
“We’re focusing on how to reliably guarantee Ukraine’s security so that the experience of the Budapest Memorandum and Russia’s invasion are never repeated. We’re counting on constructive talks,” said Zelenskyy on X.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz added that any sustainable ceasefire in Ukraine must include firm guarantees and protect European security interests, warning that peace cannot be achieved at the expense of [someone/something] or without their participation.
NATO Secretary – General Mark Rutte echoed those concerns last week, warning members of the transatlantic alliance that they could be [affected].
Rutte, speaking at the Bavarian State Representation during a Munich Security Conference event in Germany, told attendees that increasing defense spending wasn’t a time for self – congratulation while Russia continues its large – scale attacks on Ukraine.
“I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don’t sense the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It isn’t. The time for action is now,” he said.
The NATO chief urged allies to enhance [capabilities] and production, saying that their armed forces must have the resources necessary to protect their homelands and cautioning that Moscow could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years.