It is extremely important to build our own air defense system that will be needed not only now but also after the war ends, as one of the security guarantees. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this while participating online in the annual Yalta European Strategy meeting from Canada.
The Head of State noted that today is a very important and very tragic day, because exactly 25 years ago, on September 11, an attack was carried out against people and civilization as a whole. About 3,000 people from 90 countries, including Ukrainians, were killed in the terrorist attack on the United States.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that back then, in 2001, the world responded to the terrorists firmly and decisively – NATO demonstrated its strength and invoked Article 5.
“The response was global. Today, it is Ukraine that is responding to the Russians first and foremost. To their terror, their strikes, their seizure of territory, their killings. And this is a just response. And the question for all our partners, whom we are very grateful to and who stand with us – we are grateful that they are with us in this response – is whether this is enough. Can we compare this with the invocation of Article 5? Can we compare it with the entire world coming together around that terrible tragedy 25 years ago?” the President said.
The Head of State thanked everyone who supports Ukraine and called for even greater pressure on Russia.
“They are targeting everything – schools, universities, gas stations, essential services, food warehouses, thermal power plants, and energy facilities. That's what's happening. This means the war has entered a different stage. This is an open war, not a “special military operation.” This is Russia’s open war against all life with a single goal – to occupy all of Ukraine,” he said.
The President emphasized that Russia continues its systematic drone and missile attacks on energy facilities, the agricultural sector, and seaports. The blockade of the Black Sea is harming not only Ukraine’s or Russia’s export capabilities, but also many countries in Africa and Asia that depend on Ukrainian food supplies.
“The negotiating process must focus on ending the war. And if Russia does not want to end it, then our partners need to find a way to get through to Russia. If that is difficult, then at least today we need to move step by step. That means unblocking the Black Sea and finding a way to establish an energy truce. And, of course, continuing the track of exchanging prisoners of war. We spoke with Steve and Jared about the need to move toward a trilateral meeting. They agree with this, and they will work on it,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State is convinced that the United States has the capacity to pressure Russia into sitting down at the negotiating table. This includes sanctions pressure.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine cannot afford to waste time and is doing everything possible to strengthen its defense.
“There are positive things we are doing beyond the air defense packages. It is extremely important to build our own air defense system and more. We will need it during the war, of course, and afterward as well, because part of Ukraine’s security guarantees is the Ukrainian army, our defense production, our capabilities, and our partnerships with Europe, the United States, and Canada,” the President said.
The Head of State thanked the participants of the Yalta European Strategy meeting. According to him, each of these conferences shows Ukrainians that they are not alone in facing the enemy, while showing the Russians that no one will abandon Ukraine until there is a just peace.
