Zelenskyy Rallies Global Support Amid Fierce Russian Attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has launched a high-stakes international conference in Rome aimed at mobilizing reconstruction efforts for his war-torn nation, even as Ukraine endures relentless air and ground assaults from Russian forces.

The summit, hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marks the fourth of its kind and brings together international stakeholders to explore ways to rebuild Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure.

As Russia escalates its aerial attacks, the conference also underscores Ukraine’s urgent need for enhanced air defense capabilities.

On Thursday, Zelenskyy is expected to engage in a series of diplomatic meetings, including a video call with leaders from roughly 30 nations that form the “coalition of the willing.”

The coalition is working to secure financial and military backing, particularly for Ukraine’s strained air defense systems following the most intense Russian missile and drone strike in over three years of conflict.

Among the leading voices in the coalition are the United Kingdom and France.

Both are advocating for discussions around a potential ceasefire and the future deployment of peacekeeping forces to enforce any eventual peace agreement with Russia.

The UK’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, emphasized the need for “stepping up support for Ukraine and further increasing pressure on Russia.”

However, the success of any ceasefire mechanism, particularly one that involves peacekeepers, would heavily rely on the involvement of the United States.

Despite initial hesitation, President Donald Trump recently reversed a decision to pause critical arms supplies to Ukraine.

Still, his administration has yet to make a formal commitment to supporting the coalition with military force or airpower.

In light of the uncertain U.S. stance, Zelenskyy held what was described as a “substantive” meeting on Wednesday with Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg.

He is also scheduled to meet with additional U.S. officials on Thursday.

According to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, one of Kyiv’s top priorities is securing a new round of U.S. sanctions against Russia.

“Sanctions must be imposed faster, and pressure on Russia must be strong enough that they truly feel the consequences of their terror,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

The Rome event goes beyond military aid.

It is also focused on forging economic partnerships to prepare Ukraine for future European Union membership.

Italian organizers say the conference has drawn over 100 official delegations, 40 international organizations and development banks, and 2,000 businesses.

Civil society groups and local Ukrainian leaders are also participating.

Reporting from Kyiv, Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands noted: “The conference is focused on Ukraine’s reconstruction, getting private sector involvement and that sort of thing.

While that is, of course, very important, we can see … that Ukraine has much more immediate concerns as well that need addressing.”

Before the event officially opened, Zelenskyy held a private meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican, their second in-person encounter since the pope’s election in May.

According to the Vatican, both men “discussed the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for a just and lasting peace.”

The possibility of the Vatican mediating peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow was reportedly raised again, despite Russia having previously dismissed the idea.

While diplomats met in Rome, the war continued to rage at home.

Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, was the target of another massive overnight attack.

President Zelenskyy confirmed that Russia launched 18 missiles and about 400 drones, killing at least two and injuring 13.

Fires broke out in multiple buildings as the strike lasted nearly ten hours.

“The enemy’s massive night attack on Kyiv region lasted for almost 10 hours,” said Mykola Kalashnyk, head of Kyiv’s military administration, via Telegram.

Al Jazeera’s Challands described the night as one of fear and survival:

“It’s been another night for people in Kyiv spent in bomb shelters… another night listening to the boom of detonations.”

The strike followed a record-breaking assault on Tuesday involving 728 drones and 13 missiles.

Meanwhile, in eastern Ukraine, a Russian air raid killed three people in the frontline town of Kostiantynivka.

Across the border, Russia reported retaliatory drone attacks.

In the Russian city of Kursk, a Ukrainian drone strike reportedly killed four people.

These include a five-year-old boy and a member of the National Guard, according to regional Governor Alexander Khinshtein.

As violence escalates on both sides, the urgency of diplomacy and international support has never been more evident.

Zelenskyy’s message in Rome is clear: Ukraine needs both immediate protection and long-term investment if it is to survive and eventually thrive again.

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