Zelenskyy: Europe could face enormous difficulties without Ukraine and its experience
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that "Europe could face enormous difficulties" without Ukraine and its experience in resisting Russian aggression.
Source: Zelenskyy in his evening address
Quote: "We hear from many leaders that not only does Ukraine need Europe, but Europe also needs Ukraine. And that is true. Given Russia's long-term intentions, the fact that Russia is now building bases on Europe's doorstep, even in places where no military bases existed in Soviet times, clearly shows that without Ukraine, without our capabilities and our experience, Europe could face enormous difficulties. All of this must be taken into account."
Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that "the security challenges posed by Russia are not for one year or five years". He said Russia has adopted a long-term anti-European and anti-democratic strategy and is shaping its policies accordingly.
Quote: "Nothing else is coming from Moscow. Only attempts to buy off certain politicians with various benefits. Not for the sake of peace, but so that those politicians simply sell out the interests of their nations and Europe's shared interests to Russia. They will ultimately lose – just as Orbán did. Yet many still try to befriend Putin's wallets and close their eyes to what is really happening."
Details: The president also noted that among all European nations that have already joined the European Union or aspire to do so, Ukraine is making the greatest sacrifice for Europe.
Quote: "We are not simply carrying out internal reforms, nor are we simply going through a transformation. We are fighting for our state, for our independence, and for our right to choose our own path and to be Europe. And this right of ours is at the same time the right of every nation in our region.
We are fighting for our freedom and theirs, for Europe for ourselves and for them – for the Baltic states and for Poland, for Hungary and Slovakia, for Romania and Moldova, and for the peoples of the Caucasus. That is why the fate of Europe is being decided here – it is being decided in Ukraine, in this war, and in how this war ends, and whether Russia will still have the strength and the desire after this war to threaten the existence of Ukraine and its other neighbors, and the entirety of Europe."
Details: Zelenskyy spoke about preparations for diplomatic events scheduled for next week, saying that "things are expected to be very active starting Monday".
He added that Ukraine is ready to open all six clusters in its accession negotiations with the European Union.
"We expect to achieve more results this summer for our integration into the European Union. At least from our side, there will be no delays. And it is very important that our partners also feel the full significance of this process," the president noted.
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