Partner countries need to act together to eliminate threats in the Strait of Hormuz and to protect freedom of navigation not only in this region, but across the world. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during his address to participants of the virtual meeting on Freedom of Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Head of State stressed that the problems caused by the war in Iran, including the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, are of global significance.
“We all need to work together to remove the dangers in Hormuz. But it must be done in a way that helps protect freedom of navigation everywhere in the world – not just in Hormuz. And the decisions made now on Hormuz will shape what other troublemakers might think about causing problems – in other straits and on other fronts,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
The President stressed that action must be taken quickly to avoid a situation like that in Gaza, where much still needs to be done.
“First, we need to define what actually depends on all of us in Hormuz, and what depends on the United States. It’s also important to involve the countries of the Middle East and the Gulf in a way that reflects their shared interests… Second, let’s have our military teams meet as soon as possible and go through all the critical aspects of how a security mission in Hormuz could work, and what experience each side can bring,” the Head of State emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had already carried out a similar mission when Russia tried to blockade the Black Sea. Our country has experience with escorting commercial vessels, demining, protection from air attacks, and overall coordination of such operations.
At the same time, according to the President, the war in Iran negatively affects the situation in Europe through Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
“Russia remains a terrorist state and has no intention of reducing the number or the brutality of its strikes. The United States, for various reasons, may be easing pressure on Russia, and this could lead to shortages of the weapons we need here to defend against those attacks, especially air defense – you know it. So this means, we in Europe need to take even stronger joint steps to protect lives – above all, to defend against ballistic threats and to maintain pressure on Russia over the war,” the Head of State said.
The President thanked all countries that support Ukraine: taking new steps in air defense, supporting the PURL initiative, and accelerating domestic production projects for the weapons we need, especially in Europe.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that through formats and gatherings such as today’s virtual meeting, the Coalition of the Willing, JEF, and others, Ukraine and partner countries are shaping a security system that future generations will live with.