President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on European Union member states to focus all efforts on helping Ukraine obtain the ballistic missile interceptors it needs, as the Russian leader has already launched a large-scale campaign against Ukraine’s energy sector in October.
The President thanked EU member states for all their support for Ukraine during the full-scale war and noted that if the European Union had not been determined and capable of making strong decisions, the Russian leader would have gone much further by now.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Russian ruler continues to use oil and gas to tempt the world and is waging war first and foremost against the rules-based international order.
“That is why the EU – and your unity, and every truly independent European country – is a target for him. If he wins, everything that holds you together and keeps your people living in peace will simply be gone. Look at what he has been saying all these years. He has a problem with everything that happened after 1985. We don’t want to go back there,” the Head of State emphasized.
The President thanked everyone who would never even think of giving up a European country just to buy another year or two of false calm; everyone who feels for Ukrainians and helps them recover after Russian attacks; and everyone who is trying to preserve unity between Europe and the United States.
“There are so many people with good hearts in America who sincerely want evil to lose and Ukraine to stand strong. These are the very hearts that helped Europe defend its freedom, and that fought on D-Day, won the Cold War, and want what is best for Europe. Hearts that want to be allies, not to divide or humiliate Europe. I believe most Americans still feel this way,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President stressed that we all want this war to end as soon as possible and diplomacy to work.
“Putin says he’s ready to stop the war. And what it really means is Ukraine’s capitulation followed by its annihilation. Yet, he is ready to drag this war into the next year. We must be ready for this,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
In this regard, the Head of State urged European partners not to ease sanctions against Russia or anyone connected to it. A strong 22nd EU sanctions package is needed. This should include real sanctions against every company and individual involved in producing Russian ballistic missiles, advanced communications systems, and drones, as well as those involved in operating the aggressor’s financial system.
According to the President, the war will cost Ukraine €155 billion next year. And it needs at least 70 billion euros more from Europe for defense, for weapons, and for our resilience. This would, among other things, enable our country to double or triple its drone production. Investment in Ukraine’s defense industry and joint production of drones and other weapons in partner countries would also help achieve this.
Another effective way to support Ukraine for years to come is through frozen Russian assets. A European loan effectively backed by Russian assets is already in place and working. But further steps are needed.
“We need to make sure all of these assets – the full amount – are protected and can actually be used. We need something like a special EU-controlled custodian to reduce the risk of them being unfrozen and divided up among those who clearly do not want what is best for Europe or an end to this war,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President separately called for every opportunity to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense to be used, as the Russian leader has already launched a large-scale campaign against Ukraine’s energy system.
“I ask you to really focus on helping us get PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors. Ukraine can’t get by on just two or four missiles from a country every few months. We need a winter package – we always spoke about it between us – of missiles – 300 Patriot interceptors specifically against ballistic missiles,” the Head of State noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also thanked everyone who is already working hard on the FREYJA anti-ballistic program. He believes Europe needs to give serious thought to its own technological independence.
The President noted that Ukrainian members of parliament and government officials had made the decisions necessary to bring Ukraine closer to the European Union despite all the difficulties. Our country is fighting for itself and for the European way of life.
“We are doing a lot to keep our region stable. We are protecting Moldova from Russia’s attempts to cause trouble through Transnistria,” the Head of State added.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that separating Ukraine and Moldova on their path to EU membership would simply be wrong, and thanked everyone who understands this.
“We are grateful that the EU is moving toward us. 4 EU accession clusters have already been opened this year. And we need to open the remaining 2 by the end of the year. We are ready to keep doing our part – making reforms at home, of course,” the President said.
The Head of State also pointed out that genuine security guarantees for Europe are impossible to imagine today without the Ukrainian army, its technology, and its experience. Ukraine is ready to share this experience with all EU countries, including through Drone Deals. Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes these security guarantees for Europe should be reflected in the European Union’s budget for the period starting in 2028. It is necessary to determine exactly how Ukraine’s defense capabilities should be factored into that budget.
“Ukraine will be in the EU. More and more people understand that we, our country, are needed in NATO as well. But we have what we have. Thank you very much for your support, dear friends. And Ukraine wants to keep making the European Union stronger,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded.
