President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had an online conversation with students and lecturers of higher education institutions in Mexico.
In his speech, the Head of State emphasized that Mexico is one of the leading countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and because of its power and authority, it cannot remain neutral to the crimes and unjustified bloody war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine.
The President thanked Mexico for participating in the recent third meeting of national security and political advisors in Malta on the implementation of the Peace Formula and noted that he looks forward to further support for this initiative.
“Ukrainians are waiting for a clear position of the Mexican government on the terrorist actions of the Russian leadership. We want to see your country among those who not only condemn the aggression in words, but also help us endure and survive,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He noted that the country's neutrality does not mean indifference, and invited Mexico to join efforts to overcome the consequences of Russian aggression in the humanitarian, energy, and environmental spheres, and to restore and rebuild Ukraine.
“We appreciate any help in this difficult time for the Ukrainian people. And in particular, solidarity. It helps us hold on and fight for our independence. First of all, it is about values and key principles. About human life as the highest value, about freedom, independence, equality, respect, development. And I believe that our friends in Mexico share our views, our thoughts and dreams of peace. We want to feel your solidarity. So, I hope to hear a strong voice from Mexico – both from the public and from your government officials – in support of Ukraine,” the Head of State emphasized.
“When our voices are heard in unison, we will prevail, and peace, justice and the rule of law will be restored for the welfare and prosperity of all nations,” he added.
Answering the students' questions, the President clarified that Mexico could join the implementation of the points of the Peace Formula related to nuclear safety and the return of thousands of Ukrainian children illegally abducted by Russia from the occupied territories of Ukraine.
"You can help in this: put pressure on Russia, take these children away from it, return them home. Some countries are helping us," the Head of State said.
In addition, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, political support, in particular at the UN, for Ukrainian resolutions on ending the war, stopping Russian terror, restoring justice and the territorial integrity of our country is important for Ukraine.
"In all these steps, we would like Mexico to help us and support us," he said.
Also, according to the President, it is important to counter Russian propaganda and increase Ukraine's presence in the information field of Latin America. This can be facilitated, in particular, by holding a summit with the participation of representatives of our country and Latin American countries.
"Such a summit, I think, would also be very powerful and important for people to see us directly, hear us, help us, and put forward their own ideas," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State noted that it is important for Ukraine to be a guarantor of global food security. That is why our country has launched the "Grain from Ukraine" humanitarian initiative, which provides food exports through the "grain corridor" in the Black Sea.
"We have brought together a large number of countries, and millions of tons of food have been shipped to Asia and Africa. We want to expand the range of countries. We are ready to help Latin America in this regard. We are pleased to invite representatives of the Mexican government to join this initiative," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President invited representatives of the Mexican government to participate in the second international summit of the "Grain from Ukraine" program in November, where, among other things, the issue of ensuring food security in Latin America will be discussed.
He noted that food security is also one of the points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukrainians want to live in peace in their country, so they are defending their land and lives. But Russia, which attacked Ukraine, is not ready for a just peace.
"Everything will end in peace, but not our peace with Russia – it simply does not want that. It imagines peace in its own way. And we imagine it as an independent, free, European state. Therefore, the restoration of territorial integrity, restoration of human rights and freedoms, restoration of sovereignty are the only key principles of ending this hot stage of the war, and then comes restoration of justice," the Head of State said.
According to the President, any concessions to terrorists only fuel their criminal intentions.
"We are under attack from the enemy. What should we give up? Either our lives or our land. There are such voices, such proposals. But this beast will not stop there. Because its policy is no different from the policy of voracious Nazism. That is why we must fight. That is why people in the world must realize that if we are victims, we will not be the last. That is why we are fighting and want to be supported," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The Head of State emphasized that today it is impossible to talk about any relations with Russia, so this issue should be left to the discretion of future generations.
"It will depend on how Russia ends this war. Whether it will leave our territory on its own, whether their generations will be willing to ask for forgiveness, whether justice will be restored through court verdicts," the President of Ukraine summarized.