Good health to everyone!
Mark, my dear friend, I’m glad you are in Ukraine today, with Ukraine!
Dear attendees, our teams, and dear journalists!
Today we held our meeting – a very important one for Ukraine – the NATO–Ukraine Council. This is a special format of our cooperation. It is the first meeting in this format in Kyiv – and that is truly historic. Importantly, this format helps keep our partners focused on the key security issues, of course. Primarily, air defense – what is needed most – protection from Russian missiles. Right now, we have more capabilities to defend ourselves against cruise missiles – the relevant interceptors are simply more available in the world. And it would be very helpful if partners focused especially on protection against ballistic missiles – we discussed this a lot today – ballistic missiles that Russia started using more often and which are objectively harder to intercept. Ballistic missiles are Russia’s last remaining argument in its war against Ukraine, and we must find sufficient countermeasures. We have a single tool – for now – that works: American Patriot systems. We are raising funds in Europe and from other partners to buy missiles for Patriots through the PURL initiative. And I want to thank all partners, and I personally thank you, Mark, for the fact that the PURL initiative exists, continues, and is functioning. Contributions were made this May. There will be contributions in June as well. This is very important, and it has been confirmed. But the speed of deliveries through PURL and the overall volume are not sufficient. That is also a fact. Additional steps are needed. Today, we discussed this with the Secretary General.
In fact, there are five key directions for further work. First, to continue PURL, of course, and to speak with all countries capable of investing more into this program. Today, in particular, there are decisions from six countries – six countries have confirmed that they will contribute to PURL. We are very grateful to them. We will not say which ones or the amounts – that is non-public information. We need to buy what can be bought in the United States. Today, all countries confirmed that PURL is a priority, just like our new Drone Deals format. We are moving with partners to make this format fully operational.
Second, Europe needs to move faster on its own anti-ballistic defense project. All of us need this. We are already working with several countries – France, Norway, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, and other partners – on building European anti-ballistic capabilities. This is a very difficult project, but a necessary one. We raised it at the time with the previous U.S. administration, and we continue to discuss it with the current one, licensing for Patriots so they could be produced in Ukraine or together with NATO partners. This is a completely sound way to increase our collective strength, and it aligns with the current course of the U.S. President for Europe to be able to do more for its own defense. We will continue focusing on this, and I am grateful to all partners who help carry this message to America – that we in Europe can produce things that will strengthen both Europe and the United States, the Allies. And this applies first and foremost to Patriots.
I also thank all our partners who are already working with us on joint production and helping with funding so that weapons production in Ukraine can continue to grow. Right now, Ukraine is directing 45–50 billion dollars per year to weapons production. We have reached what I believe is a very high level. We have funding to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And we must ensure this sufficient level not only for production and for the army right now, for these years, but in the long term as well. This is an ambitious task – a real, functioning security guarantee for Ukraine, for our people, for our independence: adequate defense financing. If someone in Ukraine thinks this is easy or some kind of gift from above, they should not be mistaken. We work 24/7 to secure this unprecedented level of financing in our history. 45–50 billion dollars per year just for weapons of all types produced in Ukraine. These are significant funds. Negotiating, persuading, finding formats, and securing this scale of funding – we are doing all of it. It is a challenge. We are doing it, and our partners are helping us. And once again, I thank the Secretary General. A lot works through personal contacts and, of course, mutual understanding. I am grateful to everyone in Ukraine who speaks with us in one voice and helps convey our needs to partners. I am grateful to all partners who are helping us. We also discussed with Mark several other things that can provide Ukraine with stronger long-term financial security guarantees. We will keep working on this at both the G7 Summit and at the NATO Summit in Ankara – a very important summit. I am grateful to Mark for the invitation to this summit. We will definitely attend and work to ensure these financial guarantees have real substance going forward. It is not yet time to disclose all of our relevant ideas, but long-term resilience for Ukraine and financial security guarantees are an obvious task. We know which countries to speak with to achieve this result.
One more thing.
I want to thank all the representatives of NATO countries, everyone who was here today – such a large team – for being present in Ukraine today. Such a format and such representation of countries, especially after Russia’s demand for ambassadors to leave Ukraine because of the relevant threats and strikes… And yet, so many ambassadors came here today from all NATO countries – and this is a clear signal that Europe, the United States, and Canada – all partners are united to continue supporting Ukraine and to force Russia to end its stupid aggression. Pressure must work. Sanctions against Russia. Our long-range capabilities. Financing for Ukraine. Our political cooperation. And our partners’ determination to help Ukraine precisely when help is needed – all of this sends signals to Russia that this war will bring it no results. All of this is also an incentive for Russia to turn to diplomacy. And we very much hope that over the summer and autumn we will be able to bring a real peace closer – we want this – but a fair and dignified peace for all Ukrainians. I thank everyone who is helping!
Thank you again, Mark, for your visit.
Glory to Ukraine!
