Before the invitation to Budapest, Volodymyr Zelensky was involved in external efforts to strengthen support for Ukraine. He arrived in Canada for meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and members of the government, focusing on defense, the economy, and energy, as the Canadian side reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense, recovery, and reconstruction.
At the same time, Zelensky also held diplomatic contacts in Europe, including discussions with regional leaders about supporting Ukraine. In parallel, there were statements regarding the willingness to talk with Vladimir Putin within international formats, while Moscow had not yet confirmed the Russian leader’s participation in the meetings.