Dear Charles, Mr. President!
Dear leaders!
Thank you for this opportunity!
Greetings to all of you and I am grateful for your decision on the financial instrument for us, for our people, for Ukraine. Ukraine Facility with 50 billion euros for a 4-year period. This is a clear signal that Ukraine will withstand and that Europe will withstand.
It is also really important that this decision was taken unanimously by all of you, all 27 member states. It is yet another clear sign of your strong unity and support of Ukraine.
The last time a European Council meeting was held, credibility of Europe was at stake – and we all together strengthened that credibility. The EU has proven that its word matters, and its promises work for the interests of entire Europe.
The political decision made in December that gave a green light for membership negotiations with Ukraine proved that European priorities, as defined by all European leaders, are being fulfilled. This is the kind of policy we all need in Europe in the future. This year. And every next year.
So, thank you very much again.
Dear leaders!
Especially now, this year, it is essential and decisive to demonstrate Europe’s complete reliability and the effectiveness of its decisions. Russiaʼs aggression against Europe, initiated by Moscow on the European front, has now been bolstered by another Russian accomplice, namely artillery shells and ballistic missiles from North Korea. They are already terrorizing our cities, in addition to the Iranian Shaheds that are destroying our civilian infrastructure. Intelligence confirms that Russia will receive a million artillery shells from Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, unfortunately, the implementation of the European plan to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine is being delayed. And this too is a signal of global competition, in which Europe cannot afford to lose.
And that’s why today your unity is so needed in creating the Ukraine Assistance Fund within our European Peace Facility.
This is the kind of reliability and long-term support which we now have to set against the corresponding challenges. Not less than 5 billion euros per year, for a term of 4 years. A clear priority.
And one more point. During my visit to Switzerland this January, we reached an agreement to convene a Global Peace Summit. The work on its organization has already started. And I invite all of you to actively engage in the preparation of the Summit. Europe must have its say, and Europe’s word must be constantly significant, reliable, and implemented in concrete decisions.
Europe – today – sends a signal across the Atlantic and the world over that the international rules-based world order will withstand all challenges. Europe sets the tone for global affairs – with its unity. Now this is a fact. And it must remain so.
Thank you for today’s decision!
Thank you for your attention!
And I believe in Europe. I believe that European unity will preserve normal life on our continent, and I am as confident as all of you are.
Glory to Ukraine!