More than 100 military units of Ukraine’s Defence Forces have already joined the initiative, having destroyed over 17,000 reconnaissance and…
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, held in Kyiv and gathering 36 representatives of various countries both
The meeting was co-chaired online by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President of France Emmanuel Macron.
The Head of State thanked them for the fact that Ukraine has such great friends who stand with Ukraine and against Russian aggression.
The President emphasized that Russia is attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilians, which is why Ukraine is living through a horrible winter.
“Only the help of our friends and the resilience of our people enabled us to endure. That is why we ask for help in restoring the energy system. I hope we will end this war, but in any case, we must think about the next winter, and we need quick steps. We have plans”, — Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
Another point is strengthening air defense, primarily with air-defense missiles. The Head of State thanked NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and everyone supporting the PURL program.
According to the President, two days ago Ukraine received half of a new air-defense package under PURL and expects continued support.
It is also important to continue sanction efforts. Ukraine expects the next EU sanctions package, which must block Russia’s shadow fleet.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer added that it is essential to increase pressure on the Russian economy, primarily by reducing Russia’s oil revenues.
The UK therefore announced today the largest sanctions package against more than 300 Russian energy companies and 48 vessels of the shadow fleet.
President of France Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need to move forward in the negotiation process while understanding that Russia is currently not demonstrating any desire for peace.
According to him, partners are ready to provide support for Ukraine’s energy system and will discuss this, in particular at the G7 level.
German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that it is important that in April Ukraine receives the first funds from the EU’s €90 billion loan assistance.
He also added that security guarantees must be such as to ensure that aggression against Ukraine never happens again.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stressed that Ukraine is doing everything possible to maximally involve Europeans in the negotiation process to reach a just peace.
“We will have a trilateral format, I think, within this week or ten days. We need peace, but we must be prepared for any other challenges from Russia”, — the President said.
The following leaders personally attended the meeting in Kyiv: President of Finland Alexander Stubb, President of the European Council António Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Iceland Kristrún Frostadóttir, Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson, Deputy Prime Minister – Foreign Minister of Poland Radosław Sikorski, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation José Manuel Albares Bueno, and Lithuania’s Minister of National Defense Robertas Kaunas.
Participating online were the presidents of Cyprus and Romania, the Federal Chancellor of Austria, the prime ministers of Belgium, Bulgaria (acting), Greece, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Czechia, Montenegro, the NATO Secretary General, the Vice President of the European Commission, the Vice President of Turkey, the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Albania’s Defense Minister, and the Chief Adviser to Japan’s Cabinet.
