Zelensky at the Nordic-Baltic Eight: ‘Peace? We need a summit involving Russia, the EU and the US. Ukraine is on board.’

During the meeting, Zelenskyy returned to the subject of how to bring the conflict with Moscow to an end. “The ideal solution in peace negotiations is to bring the war to an immediate end. At the very least, we must take the first step: an unconditional and total ceasefire. To achieve a ceasefire, it would be desirable to organise a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, and of course Europe and the United States. Ukraine is willing to do all this. We shall see if Russia is willing too. So far, it has not demonstrated this,” said Zelensky.

“Europe cannot act as a mediator with Russia in peace talks; we must be clear amongst ourselves and with Moscow: Putin is the aggressor and Europe has the power to stop him.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy made this statement during the press conference following the summit between Ukraine and the Nordic-Baltic countries. On who should represent Europe, Zelensky believes that the E3 could be a “good option”, but ultimately “it is Europe that must decide and then propose it to us, and we will support it”. It just needs to happen as soon as possible and without repeating the ‘mistakes of the past’, such as the Normandy format, or without Ukraine being at the table, Zelensky added.

Four people have died in St Petersburg following an explosion and the resulting fire that broke out in the area of the Arsenal plant, owned by the Russian space agency Roscosmos, according to local media reports. According to the newspaper Fontanka, four people are believed to have died in the incident. The Ministry of Emergency Situations, however, has confirmed only two injuries. Rescue workers have stated that the flames affected an area of around 400 square metres. Due to the emergency, rail services at the nearby Finland Station have been temporarily suspended.

The Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation. The leading theory regarding the cause is an accidental fire caused by acetone vapours. The Arsenal plant manufactures components for the Russian military and space industries, including satellites, naval artillery mounts and rocket engines. The company is subject to sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Also today, a car was blown up by a bomb in the Moscow region and the driver was killed. This was reported by the Investigative Committee, as quoted by the TASS news agency, without revealing the victim’s name. The area of the explosion is a neighbourhood where several armed forces officers reside and where, last year, General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the operational directorate of the armed forces’ General Staff, was killed in an attack.

Un investigatore russo al lavoro sul luogo dell'esplosione di un'auto nei pressi di un edificio residenziale a Balashikha, nei pressi di Mosca, Russia, 9 giugno 2026. "Secondo gli investigatori, il 9 giugno, alle 5:30 circa del mattino, un ordigno esplosivo è stato fatto detonare mentre una BMW X3 stava transitando nei pressi di un edificio residenziale a Balashikha. Il conducente è rimasto ucciso", secondo quanto riferito dal Comitato investigativo russo. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV

The explosion took place in Balashikha, a satellite town of the Russian capital. “A BMW X3 was blown up as it was driving past a residential building on Koldunova Street,” reads a statement from the Investigative Committee. “The driver sustained multiple injuries and died at the scene,” the statement added. The attack took place at 5.30 am local time (4.30 am UK time).