Speeches

It is a matter of survival, and not only for Ukraine, that the world reacts to Russian evil and exerts pressure, and hits back.

When lives are lost, and partners are simply playing internal political games or disputes that limit our defense, it's impossible to understand. It's unacceptable. And it will be impossible to forget – the world will remember this.

We have to make this year an effective one in defending ourselves against Russian guided bombs, Russian aircraft, and their missiles.

Our people in Ukraine are capable of ensuring this – with sufficient support. Support with what the world already has in its weapons depots, in the norms of international law, and in the minds of its leaders.

There must be no Europe of “different dignities” – when someone deserves security and peace while someone’s struggle for peace is ignored, when someone deserves integration into unions and alliances, and someone is supposed to stay behind and wait. 

Everything we do together to defend against Russian aggression adds real security to our nations for decades to come.

And it is imperative to bring Russia, every war criminal, all those involved in the deportation of our people, those involved in the torture of prisoners to justice.

Wars truly end with justice when the evil that gave rise to them is quelled. And that is why a sense of justice and a pursuit of peace must go hand in hand. This requires, in particular, not forgetting about Crimea.

We have already achieved much – and the world feels that Putin can lose this war. And when he loses, it will mean that not just someone wins, but the entire global community of nations – and international law as such – will prevail. We must ensure this.

A nation that endured in the first three days. And didn't fall on the fourth. And fought for the fifth day. And then a month. And then six months. And now two years. Battles for freedom. Battles for life. Heroically fought by incredible people.