Three years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion in Ukraine. A Russian war of aggression that was unprovoked, unjustified and illegal. A war that violates Ukraine’s sovereignty, its territorial integrity, its international recognised borders, and the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations’ Charter.
My thoughts are with all Ukrainians. With all those who have lost a family member and friend. With those who are wounded. The suffering Russia has inflicted on Ukraine is cruel and unjustifiable. The presence of all of us, here, today, is a demonstration of our solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with you, President Zelenskyy.
We were here with you from Day One. We stand — and we will stand — with you, side by side, shoulder to shoulder. In the war, in future peace negotiations, in the reconstruction and as a member state of the European Union. We all want this war to end. And the suffering and destruction to stop. This is why this moment is so important.
Russia is a threat to the international rules-based order. Putin wants to divide us. We show here today that our support is strong, united and unchanged. There will be no credible and successful negotiation, no lasting peace, without Ukraine and without the European Union. Only Ukraine can decide when the conditions are met to start a peace negotiation.
Peace cannot be a simple ceasefire. It needs to be a durable agreement. Peace should not reward the aggressor. We need to learn the lessons from the past, from Budapest and Minsk agreements. Only concrete and strong security guarantees will ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine and in Europe as a whole.
The European Union is ready to do whatever it takes for its security and to continue to support Ukraine. That is why I am convening a special European Council, next week, on the 6th of March, on supporting Ukraine and strengthening Europe’s defence.
Working very closely with the European Commission and with Ursula [von der Leyen], we are ready to effectively deliver on our defence capabilities and to significantly invest on them. We are ready to increase our financial and military support to Ukraine. And we are ready to build Ukraine’s future within the European Union.
Ukraine, you can count on us.
Slava Ukraini!