During a more than four-hour meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed security issues in Ukraine and Europe, including a peaceful settlement in Donbas and the risks of Nord Stream 2. The Head of State told this in an interview to journalists in the framework of the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Humanitarian Policy" in Kyiv.
The President noted that he was satisfied with the meeting with Angela Merkel.
"I am glad that we managed to have a common understanding after the meeting that I came to address security issues. Every issue, starting with Donbas and ending with the issue of Nord Stream 2, is a part of maintaining security in Europe, and for us, first of all, it is security in Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State noted that there are different views on the implementation of Nord Stream 2, but Ukraine was able to give Germany many arguments about the risks of this project.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that Angela Merkel and US President Joe Biden would meet soon.
"They will discuss what Nord Stream 2 will bring to Europe and to Ukraine separately. How to guarantee energy security for the citizens of Ukraine, so that we do not lose from this "stream” if it is completed and put into operation," he said.
According to the President, it is very important that Ukraine's partners understand that Nord Stream 2 is not a purely economic project.
"For us, it's not just the words “energy security”. First, we receive $ 2 billion a year for transit. Big money," the President said, adding that these funds are used, in particular, to support the army, to ensure Ukraine's energy efficiency - to reduce gas use, improve energy infrastructure and more.
According to the President, it will take about 10-15 years to switch to renewable energy.
"We must be sure that we will have a normal gas supply. We need these guarantees," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
In addition, the issue of gas supply to the occupied territories is important.
The Head of State noted that Ukraine is making every effort to hold the next meeting of the leaders of the Normandy format, but it is delayed due to Russia's position.
"Everyone sees that the Normandy meeting is postponed today. Because the clusters on the practical implementation of the Minsk process developed by the German party are agreed by France, and we support them as well - they were submitted to the Russian party. And everyone sees that the Normandy meeting is postponed due to the position of the Russian Federation," the President explained.
