You're reading: In London, Poroshenko calls on West to keep supporting Ukraine

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko delivered his vision of peace and security in Ukraine and Europe during his speech in Chatham House Royal Institute of International Affairs Conference in London on April 19.

During his two-day visit to the United Kingdom, Poroshenko discussed UK-Ukraine-NATO cooperation, and also called British lawmakers to consider introducing visa-free travel for Ukrainians.

The president also met with British business leaders and discussed the investment climate in Ukraine, and the prospects for British investment in Ukraine.

In his speech at Chatham House, Poroshenko was scathing on Russia, saying that the war in the Donbas was not only a battle for Ukrainian nation against Russian intervention, but also a fight for the future of Europe and the rest of the “free world.”

We don’t have peace for one reason: the Russians are not interested in reaching peace. They are interested in exerting control,” Poroshenko said.

Russia’s drive for hegemony will not stop Ukraine,” he said. “Yesterday it was Moldova and Georgia, today it is Ukraine and Syria, who’s next? So we have no other choice but to achieve peace by force, not appeasing the aggressor.”

Test for West

Poroshenko said he fully realized that all Russia is interested in is expanding its control and influence across Europe during joint phone negotiations on April 17 with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President François Hollande, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Once again we heard nothing but valueless promises. We heard: ‘you want peace; you can have it, but on our terms.’ No compromise, just the rule of force,” Poroshenko said.

The president also said Ukraine was a nation of warriors, and would not surrender to Russia. However, he said the West must help Ukraine, as the war in the Donbas it is not “a Ukrainian question, it is a European question.”

Ukraine is a test for Europe that will show if the West is really on the wane, as Russia keeps saying,” the president said.

Poroshenko said that in 2014 Ukraine had practically no army, but Ukrainians had not been afraid to stand up to the Russian Federation. Ukraine now spends 5 percent of its Gross Domestic Product on defense – more than double NATO requirements.

Maintain support

Poroshenko also asked Europeans to believe in Ukraine and keep supporting the reform of the country.

It is very hard to change the country for the better during a war, and Russia’s constant discrediting and destabilization attempts,” Poroshenko said.

Ukraine keeps stopping Russian aggression from further expanding to Europe. We’re doing our job. So please keep supporting Ukraine,” Poroshenko said.

For more information, go to the president’s official website here.