During his visit to Iceland, Zelenskyy also met with the Nordic prime ministers who were travelling to Iceland to participate in the Session. They held bilateral meetings and hosted a joint press conference.

“I’m grateful for the Nordic countries’ unwavering support for Ukraine, support that is among the strongest in the world, and which I hope will continue with even closer co-operation,” said Zelenskyy.

Nordic support for Ukraine 

President of the Nordic Council Bryndís Haraldsdóttir stressed the Nordic Council’s continued support for Ukraine.

“Democratic values and international rules are under attack, and Ukraine is the battlefield. We stand firmly in solidarity with Ukraine. Your fight is our fight,” said Haraldsdóttir.

Ukraine and NATO

There’s no mistaking President Zelenskyy’s gratitude for the Nordic Region’s continued support. Yet war still rages in Ukraine, and he feels it’s time to strengthen ties even further by admitting Ukraine as a member of the EU and NATO.

Birgir Ármannsson, Speaker of the Alþingi, also referred to the recent Nordic enlargement of NATO, with both Finland and Sweden now admitted as members.

“These are historic times for the Nordic Region and our security, with all the Nordic countries now members of NATO. I believe that Ukrainian membership of NATO is the key to security for Ukraine and all of Europe,” said Ármannsson.

Time to bring Ukraine’s children home

Time is of the essence for Zelenskyy, who ended his speech by talking about the tens of thousands of children taken into Russia from the occupied Ukrainian territories and are now being told Putin’s version of events. “It’s time to bring them home,” President Zelenskyy concluded.