Europe should not get tired of the war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine, as today Ukrainians are fighting for a peaceful life for all Europeans, to which they have an absolute right, and need help and support. This was said by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with the participants of the annual meeting of French entrepreneurs under the auspices of the MEDEF business association.
"We are having a war, and in Ukraine there are places, trenches, where our heroic warriors die. And there are de-occupied cities where people already walk on the streets. And those people who are in the trenches do not envy those who are walking, and vice versa. Because we understand that despite the war, people still have to live, work and breathe," said the Head of State.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the residents of European cities, in particular French ones, with an appeal to help Ukraine as much as possible, so that our defenders do not allow Russia to advance its aggression to the west, to Europe.
“Protect this peaceful atmosphere in which you are. And today, when the war is on our territory, you have the opportunity to help us so that the war does not destroy all the beautiful, warm, sunny things that you have now, that you enjoy. And this is your absolute right. And we are fighting for this right today. So please don't get tired of the war in Ukraine. Because this is a war for the peace you have today," the President urged.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia's criminal actions raise the question of the world's survival strategy, and civilized countries should unite to overcome all the risks facing humanity.
"We warned that Russia would provoke an energy deficit. We warned about this even before the full-scale invasion. We said that it was necessary to introduce preventive sanctions because Russia would be claiming that it couldn’t supply, and then, as you know, somewhere on the border with Finland, they would burn millions of tons of gas in order not to supply it to Europe," he noted.
The President of Ukraine noted that the coming winter will not be comfortable for anyone, but these inconveniences must be overcome in order not to allow Russia to dictate its terms to Europe.
"They cannot make money and have a comfortable vacation on the coast of France. Why do they hate Europe so much and at the same time buy villas in France, in Italy, go shopping, open businesses, open accounts?" he noted and added that European businesses should leave the Russian Federation.
Regarding the development of our country after the war, Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled that during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2022) in Lugano, Switzerland, the amount needed for post-war reconstruction was announced. But since the war is not over yet, it is impossible to tell the final figures at the moment.
He informed that the governments of Ukraine and France are preparing to hold a forum on the recovery of Ukraine in Paris in the autumn, and invited French companies to participate in it.
According to the President, now it is worth focusing on the Fast Recovery Plan, which requires a smaller amount of funds, but already now.
"I would focus today on the restoration of educational, port and transport infrastructure, as well as housing for people. Because our task is to return people. People in the state mean the development of the economy," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.