Andrii, Dear Minister!
Dear friends, Ministers!
Distinguished guests!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Thank you for coming. Thank you for your support. We are thankful to your people and your governments. Thank you that you stay with us from the very beginning of the full-scale war. Thank you for Europe being here in Ukraine in such a very important time.
Today, we remember how, 4 years ago, the Russian army was pushed back from Kyiv. And we freed the Kyiv region, and the whole world saw what the Russian army brought to us, to Ukraine – what and why. And what it could bring to other countries, between us. And in that moment, everything Russia had said about itself fell apart for hundreds of millions of people around the world. People saw that Ukraine was fighting a brutal and irrational, absolutely, aggressor, anti-European force – Russia, which rejects everything Europe learned and changed in the 20th century. And that Russia started this war not only against us, not only against Ukraine, but against the progress in human rights, morality, and peaceful life that came after World War 2. After Bucha, after Yahidne, during the battles for Kharkiv, our Mariupol, and the Black Sea – the world saw what Ukraine is and what Ukrainians are fighting for. Europe saw itself in us – in our people, in our resistance, and in our pain in this war, and in our determination to defend our independence. In Ukraine’s fight for life and for the right to choose our future, the national dreams of many European nations were echoed – nations that once fought for their own freedom. Europe’s own history was reflected here in Ukraine. We remembered the Miracle on the Vistula and the Prague Spring. We spoke about Finland’s fight for independence and the brutal crushing of Hungary’s freedom by Soviet tanks. We recalled the Nazi Blitz against Britain and the bombing of Rotterdam. This was not just history. It reminded us that the European way of life is not a gift. And that weakness and failure to stop enemies in time can lead to terrible consequences. And now we also need to act in time, and act, of course, strongly, and protect people.
Dear friends!
Recently, I visited countries in the Middle East and the Gulf, and everywhere our offer of assistance to protect lives was met with respect and gratitude. We act in time. And we also see that many Iranians around the world respect Ukraine and are grateful that we did not stay silent about their pain and their desire to end dictatorship and live freely. And we all should act to help them, of course. And we feel that, despite all the disinformation, American hearts have not grown cold – they support those who fight for freedom, and they support us in defending ourselves against Russian aggression. It’s very important.
After everything that has happened, Russia is clearly not a friend – even to those it still has relations with. And when some still try to trade with Russia, still want its oil and money, or say it will be very hard to achieve justice after this war – we see this as short-sighted and as a risk of repeating past mistakes. Russia must not win this war – in any way. It must not receive any reward from this war. And it must not get ahead of us – in new technologies shaped by this war. This is critical.
The future of Europe directly depends on how this war ends. And you can see how closely Russia’s war against Ukraine is linked to what is happening in the Middle East and the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is in a situation much like the Black Sea when Russia blocked our shipping, you remember, in 2022. Yes. Iranian drones and missiles hit neighboring countries just as Russian drones and ballistic missiles hit Ukraine. Modern war is impossible without drones, and most strikes on the front in Ukraine are carried out by drones of many types. We also see signs that the Iranian regime may be preparing for ground operations using FPV drones. It is also important to note that Russia is investing in prolonging conflicts in the Middle East. Wars there make it easier to intensify the war here. And this was the case after the Hamas attack on Israel. It is also true for the war the Iranian regime is waging to preserve itself. After that war, things must not be worse than before – and this is key. And the same applies here in Europe: Russia must not be left in any position that it could see as better than before – not in territory, not in technologies, not in politics. This is essential for peace and Europe. That is why, when talks to end this war are ongoing, we always do everything to ensure Europe is present and that Europe’s interests are taken into account. Ukraine is doing this. Absolutely. And in this way, Ukraine strengthens Europe. And I am grateful to everyone who understands this and supports our diplomacy. And we are doing everything to end this war through diplomacy. Of course. This is necessary. And Russia shows no intention to make a reliable deal, but it’s significantly a matter of pressure. And I hope the United States will remain decisive and help bring Russia to a trilateral meeting – and press it to make peace.
And I said this yesterday, and I repeat it today – we have proposed a ceasefire for the Easter holidays. We hope that the United States will support this proposition. And we are waiting for a response from Russia. Tomorrow, I will speak with the American team, including on this issue. And we hope for results. Results are needed for everyone.
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
It is symbolic that now, as we remember Bucha, we ask: what will war and threats look like tomorrow – for Europe, for all of us? And we must not let Europe’s enemies answer this question for us, or before us. This is very serious.
If we have programs like SAFE, we must make them truly modern and effective. Europe should produce not just what it knows, but what really works in today’s war and what is proven by today’s war. And countries already working with us on joint production understand this. Ukraine has this experience. Now, as our expert teams work in the Middle East and the Gulf, we see that our experience in protecting lives and critical infrastructure is, in many ways, unique. And I say this not just out of pride. This is about security. Ukraine’s experience in defense is a real security guarantee for Europe. So I propose that we work together to modernize our defense. We have started cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan. We also have signals from Bahrain. They are interested in our experience in countering drones and building a layered system-wide defense against modern threats. And I am sure Europe needs this too, of course. And we have already started working with some countries in Europe – thanks to our partners. And I thank them for acting in time. But this is needed for all of Europe, I’m sure.
I thank everyone involved in the PURL program and other initiatives that protect our skies. Drones, cruise missiles, ballistic threats – all must get a clear response. In the short term, we need funding for this. But in the long term, Europe must be able to produce all types of missiles and defense systems on its own. Of course. Europe must not depend on others – and must be ready to help those who help us.
Next point.
European decisions must not be questioned or lost in chaos. If Europe makes a decision, it must be implemented. When Europe decided to provide Ukraine with a 90-billion-euro support program based on Russian assets, this must not be blocked. Because this is about Europe’s strength – the strength of its word and its ability to act. If common decisions can be blocked so easily in such critical times, what does that say about the rest? We must strengthen trust in Europe, not weaken it. And beyond trust in Europe, this is a basic security issue, by the way. We must already prepare for the next winter. We have a plan, but because the 90 billion support package is still blocked, we cannot use the 5 billion planned for protection and recovery to get ready – no matter what this winter will be like. This is about people’s lives. By the way, we’ve lost already one month – March. We had to begin to do it in March, but somebody blocked this money. As long as the blockage remains, the threat remains. And this is happening because one person in Europe is standing against all of Europe – simply to please Moscow, and everyone can already see the evidence – that this is nothing more than a deal with Moscow.
Next point.
I am grateful to all countries already working against Russian oil. Russian oil is what fuels this war. Without oil revenues, Russia cannot fight. So we must continue to block all Russian and related tankers. European laws must ensure that Europe’s seas do not finance this war. And the same applies to sanctions. They must be strengthened, and we are still expecting a new EU sanctions package.
And one more thing.
In the Middle East and the Gulf, when countries turn to Ukraine for support, they see Ukraine as Europe. They see it as working with Europe. No one there doubts that Ukraine is Europe. Ukraine’s contribution to global stability is seen as Europe’s contribution – by everyone in the world. So why, in some key issues, is Ukraine still limited as a part of Europe? Ukraine’s EU membership is a security guarantee – for us and for Europe. Our potential – human, technological, military – is Europe’s potential. Russia understands this, sometimes better than some in Europe. That is why Russia does everything to stop Ukraine from joining the EU. And that is why we are doing everything to make it happen. And I thank those in Europe who support us. Now, Ukraine is ready for opening clusters and continuing accession negotiations. The key to stopping Russia’s efforts is to set a clear date for Ukraine’s accession. A clear date is a guarantee that Russia will fail, and that we will succeed. Please, let us make this happen. Please, let us not lose time. Please, continue to support Ukraine and the European way of life. Thank you so much that you are here.
Glory to Ukraine!