Building security infrastructure to push Russia toward peace, reducing Russia’s revenues from energy exports, and supporting European business can influence Europe’s collective security system. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in his address to the participants of the Ambrosetti International Economic Forum.
The Head of State thanked the organizers for the invitation and the attention to Ukraine, adding that Ukrainians appreciate that people in Italy hear and support them.
The President emphasized that Europe needs a new network of modern defense production – one in which countries support each other by producing defense means for themselves and for the whole of Europe.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined three components that will affect Europe’s collective security. According to him, the creation of a security system that will push Russia toward peace has already begun. He noted that the day before, in France, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing was held, where the leaders of 35 countries discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, and 26 states expressed their readiness to make a real contribution.
“These are strong countries, and Italy, of course, is one of them. President Trump confirmed – America is ready to take part. In the next few weeks, we’ll talk with each country about what exactly they can do. And it’s important that security guarantees start working now – during the war, not only after it ends,” the President emphasized.
The Head of State also said that during his conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders, they discussed in detail how to bring peace closer. According to him, President Trump expects a stronger Europe – with better coordination between Europe and the United States. At the same time, the American leader is very disappointed with the actions of some European countries, especially Hungary and Slovakia, which continue to buy Russian oil and help finance Russia’s war machine.
“America wants to seriously cut Russia’s income from energy exports – and this is the right path. The less money Putin makes from oil, the less he can spend on war and on destabilizing other countries. Please keep this in mind – energy independence from Russia is also key to strong relations with the United States,” the Head of State emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to discuss this issue with President of the European Council António Costa and Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico during meetings in Ukraine.
“And it’s important that Prime Minister Orbán also hears these signals from the United States, directly from President Trump – the signal about Russian oil,” the Head of State added.
The President also emphasized the importance of supporting European business – industries, jobs, and Europe’s place in global competition.
“In Ukraine, we believe that the project of rebuilding our country after the war is a fundamental economic project for the whole of Europe. For us, Ukraine’s EU membership and the reconstruction of Ukraine are also elements of security. Giorgia Meloni supports us in this. And I very much hope that Italy’s participation will be truly strong and visible,” the Head of State concluded.