Address by the President of Ukraine to the Participants of the European Council Meeting

Leaders, friends, thank you for your support.

It’s very good that meetings of the European Council now traditionally take place with our participation. Thank you for this invitation. This reflects the fact that we are moving closer to EU membership, which, of course, should not be limited to symbolism or participation in discussions alone, of course. So, thank you again.

Ukraine believes that every democratic nation in Europe deserves to be a full member of the EU. And we are working as actively as possible to achieve this.

Please, do not forget that Ukraine merits it because it has paid more than any other European country for its right to be free, independent, and, of course, of course – I’m underlining – European. 

This right is not only for Ukraine. It is also the right of other nations to be independent from Russia.

The future of Europe – free, united, of course, in peace – is being decided in our defense. That shows how unique our situation is. I’m grateful to everyone who recognizes this and who takes the necessary steps to show that Europe truly values and supports it. 

The most important such step could be a fast-track – I know that not everybody loves it, but, sorry, I already wrote it, so I will tell it – a fast-track path for Ukraine to join the EU.

We are ready to make the necessary reforms. That is, Ursula, what you like. I also wrote it. That is clear. But the lack of a clear decision on Ukraine in the EU continues to encourage Russian interference. 

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If Ukraine gets real membership, and gets it quickly – I hope – Russia will lose one of its main reasons for trying to destabilize both Ukraine and Europe. That is why this fast-way path for Ukraine is very needed.

The first cluster was recently opened, and it is fully deserved for both Ukraine and Moldova. And we are ready to move further. We will be happy to do it together. We can open the other 5 clusters as well. 

Everything is already prepared, and this can be done in the coming weeks. I hope so. We believe this might be possible, maybe as soon as possible, maybe during the Cyprus Presidency – the best way. I’m not asking for me, it’s for Cyprus. It’s very symbolic for both of us, of course. So, if it’s possible.

Thank you, António, thank you, Ursula, thanks to all the leaders who support Ukraine and are ready to work with us to make both Ukraine and the EU stronger. 

After the changes in Hungary – by the way, good changes in Hungary; I’m sharing my own opinion – there is clearly a new opportunity to strengthen relations both within the EU and between the EU and Ukraine. For Ukraine, being a good neighbor has never been just words. And now we are ready to work as closely as possible, and with mutual respect, with every one of our EU neighbors. I want to thank our neighbors – Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia – and all other EU countries, and assure you that Ukraine is very committed to mutual respect.

It’s very important that the funds of the European Peace Facility have now been unlocked. It’s very important. This is 6 billion euros. It is a significant amount, and it should be used for what truly helps protect lives – and, if it’s possible, of course, for what has been proven in this war, for what works, really works. 

Please support the rapid use of these funds, so that no life is lost because of delays. The money can be used for air defense, long-range munitions, and other capabilities that are already proving effective. 

And if we can use these funds to protect our energy infrastructure – we shared this idea, if it’s possible, not only for the military – to protect our energy before the winter, it will be helpful.

Thank you very much for supporting sanctions against Russia for this war. First, we need to keep increasing pressure on all types of Russian energy resources and energy exports. I thank those who are already taking action. It is very important to continue pressure on the tankers that transport Russian oil and oil products. Every country that stops these tankers helps stop the war, I’m sure.

And it is important that we finally take the necessary legislative steps in every country and at the European level, so that we can not only stop these tankers, but also confiscate the oil they carry. This is worth doing. It is a real tool for reducing Russia’s oil revenues.

I also thank you for the work on the 21st sanctions package. This package is needed. I hope it will be felt loudly in Russia and that it will truly work. Please, let us make sure it targets the Russian sectors and the individuals that really matter.

Let us give new momentum to our work within the Coalition of the Willing. Many people ask what practical decisions the Coalition of the Willing can already deliver. Let us focus on financial stability as part of our security. 

There is no army without funding. And when we talk about Europe’s security, we are talking about its foundation – the Ukrainian army.

Our army has real experience of modern warfare and has been able to hold back a force as large as Russian aggression. 

We need to provide long-term security guarantees for Europe, and that means long-term guarantees – financial guarantees also – for security, for stability, for the Ukrainian army.

Maintaining the army, providing the equipment it needs, paying soldiers, and funding military contracts – all of this is necessary. The Coalition of the Willing, and the European Union as the biggest part of it – of the Coalition –  and your countries as members of it, can develop the special financial instruments needed to make this possible. Let’s think about it. Let’s do it. Let’s prepare.

And, of course, diplomacy.

As António already said, that is really very important. We had the G7 meeting. It was really more positive than we could expect. So we are happy that it was a joint position. The G7 was really seven – I mean, not including Ukraine, but including the United States. I mean, those were really very good signals.

Europe has to be at the negotiating table in any way. There can be no negotiations with the Russians without Europe. We have to talk about it, and I think we have to focus on it so as not to create chaos in contacts with the Russians. Everyone understands that contacts will take place in one format or another, but the point is not to create chaos around them. And, of course, Putin is very happy if we are divided in Europe, in the EU, especially with these contacts, he can play games. He feels he can do it. He has done it more than once already. So, this is our message. 

Of course, we want to end this war before winter, through diplomacy – of course, it’s very important – and through pressure on Russia. But we understand who we are dealing with. Putin is the war. So if the war continues, we will need a winter support package. This is an urgent thing. This should include an energy package: gas, diesel. I don’t know what they will destroy this winter or before winter. That’s why I say: gas, diesel, petrol. It depends on attacks. And, of course, we need the package of 300 missiles. It’s a minimum of 300 missiles, anti-ballistic missiles, for 3-4 months of these massive attacks – winter. I’m speaking about winter. So, help us to prepare for the winter. We’re asking you now. We don’t have time to think. We have only one choice – to decide what to do. This is the last point that I wanted to tell you. 

Thank you again to everyone who stands with us. That’s why thanks to everyone.

Thank you.