Speeches

I want to thank you for your unity and for standing with Ukraine – and therefore with all of Europe. Our continent has likely built its strength in just this way – through unity, through peaceful cooperation, and through the resilience and extraordinary potential of European cities and regions. Every part of Europe matters to the whole of Europe – and it is we who prove this through our united efforts and mutual respect.

The Russian army has destroyed the lives of the peoples of the Caucasus. They destroyed lives in Syria. They’ve even gone to Africa – to sell their brutality to local warlords. Russia takes pride in this – takes pride in its ability to kill – and frankly, that’s the only thing this state has ever really learned to do.

We are preparing decisions to support our joint defense production with partners. This is long-term security – these are our guarantees, European guarantees – guarantees for everyone that Russian aggression will not be able to expand and will not be rewarded.

We have no doubt that we can push Russia toward peace. But for that, we must continue to pressure Moscow with all available tools and step by step make its aggression meaningless.

I want to thank all Americans, all Europeans who support this approach – the approach of pressuring Russia into peace – and it is extremely important.

The key to lasting peace is clear – the aggressor must not receive any reward for war. Putin must get nothing that would justify his aggression. Any reward would only show him that war pays off. 

Our delegation is now in Istanbul. And we are ready to take the necessary steps for peace.

Just now, I received a report from Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk – a brilliant operation was carried out. It took place on enemy territory and was aimed exclusively at military targets – specifically, the equipment used in strikes against Ukraine.

We are now preparing for new diplomatic steps together with our partners in Europe and, importantly, with our partners in the United States. In fact, we are in contact almost daily with everyone who can make diplomacy meaningful.

We are trying to add real substance to a potential meeting. Not a single day must be lost, because every day of Russia undermining diplomacy costs human lives.