B9, Nordic Leaders Call for Increased Pressure on Russia

Leaders of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries called for increased pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine during a summit in Bucharest. They reaffirmed support for Ukraine, highlighted Russia as a long‑term threat, and pledged to strengthen NATO’s eastern defenses. The statement emphasized the need for greater military cooperation, security guarantees, and sustained aid to Kyiv. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at the summit of the Bucharest Nine (B9) and the Nordic countries at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, Romania on May 13, 2026. (Photo by Mihai Barbu / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Leaders of NATO’s Bucharest Nine (B9) and Nordic allies called for increased pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine , stressing continued support for Kyiv . President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Romania on Tuesday for the B9 summit, where Ukraine is seeking additional defense support and expanded drone cooperation. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . In a joint statement following the summit, leaders said pressure on Moscow must be intensified to push it toward meaningful negotiations, according to a statement published by Romania’s presidency . “Pressure on Russia to end its illegal war of aggression and engage meaningfully in peace negotiations must be increased,” the document said. The leaders reaffirmed their strong condemnation of Russia’s invasion and reiterated support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. They also underscored their commitment to a just and lasting peace grounded in international law, backed by credible security guarantees. The group welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the US and praised Ukraine’s participation in peace initiatives. Strengthening NATO’s Eastern Flank The statement highlighted growing concerns about the long‑term threat posed by Russia, describing it as a significant and direct long-term threat. Leaders emphasized the need to strengthen NATO’s forward defense posture, improve military capabilities, and increase spending , with some allies already meeting or nearing the target of 5% of GDP on defense investment. Other Topics of Interest Poland Scrambles Jets During Russian Attack Poland scrambled military aircraft and raised air defense readiness levels during Russia’s mass drone attack against Ukraine on Wednesday. Polish military officials said the measures were preventive and aimed at securing airspace near areas bordering Ukraine. They also stressed the importance of enhancing air and missile defense systems, particularly in response to repeated airspace violations and drone threats, and called for expanded protection of critical infrastructure and maritime routes. The summit brought together leaders from the B9 nations - Bulgaria , Czechia , Estonia , Hungary , Latvia , Lithuania , Poland , Romania, Slovakia - along with Nordic allies Denmark , Finland , Iceland, Norway , and Sweden , as well as NATO Secretary General and Ukraine. Following this, the B9 summit seeks to involve Scandinavian countries in future Polish-Romanian initiatives to further unite NATO’s eastern flank, as reported by Ukrinform . Support for Ukraine and Defense Cooperation Leaders reaffirmed continued military assistance to Ukraine, including through NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List ( PURL ), and stressed that supporting Kyiv is an investment in broader European security. They also called for strengthening the transatlantic defense industrial base, increasing production capacity, and improving supply chains to meet growing security demands. Beyond Ukraine, the statement raised concerns about Russia’s hybrid tactics, including cyberattacks, sabotage, and destabilizing activities across Europe. The leaders also expressed support for critical areas such as the Strait of Hormuz, and highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation between NATO and the EU , including Moldova . The group said it would continue to deepen cooperation across NATO’s eastern flank, spanning from the Black Sea to the Arctic region, while working toward greater strategic coherence among allies. The next B9 summit is expected to take place in Poland, as member states coordinate responses to evolving security threats. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.