While in Munich, I had a call with @POTUS Joe Biden.
We discussed the current frontline situation. I am grateful to have President Biden's full support. I also believe that the US Congress will make a wise decision.
Supporting Ukraine means supporting democracy and freedom. Together, we must protect these values. We agreed to stay in touch as Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine approaches the two-year mark.
На Мюнхенській конференції з питань безпеки поговорив телефоном із Президентом США Джозефом Байденом.
Обговорили поточну ситуацію на полі бою. Я радий, що можу розраховувати на повну підтримку американського Президента. Віримо й у мудре рішення Конгресу США.
Підтримка України – це підтримка демократії та свободи. Ми повинні разом захистити ці цінності. Домовилися підтримувати контакт у звʼязку з наближенням 2-х роковин початку повномасштабного вторгнення.
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At the Ukraine Recovery Conference, I said: we must build a recovery coalition, which would have a Marshall-Plan-style recovery plan. And as Russia increases its attacks, we cannot afford a shortage of funding for defense production.
Just last night, Russia launched another massive attack on Ukraine – mainly targeting Kyiv. Russian-Iranian “shahed” drones were used. They’ve been heavily upgraded to cause more destruction.
These drones are now harder to shoot down. Ukrainians face attacks by hundreds of these every single night. This is pure terrorism. The night before last: over 700 drones and missiles. Last night – nearly 400. They try to do this constantly.
Today I signed a new Ukrainian sanctions package. These are special sanctions targeting numerous Russian financial schemes, particularly cryptocurrency-related ones. This is both a synchronization with our partners and our own initiative.
Just through one single company, now included in the sanctions list, and only since the beginning of this year, Russians funneled several billion dollars, primarily for the needs of their military-industrial complex.
We will shut down all such schemes. Right now, with many of Russia’s traditional financial channels blocked, they are increasingly shifting to cryptocurrency transactions.
At the meeting to mark the start of Denmark's EU presidency, I stressed the need for a strong and united EU, transatlantic cooperation, and biting sanctions on Russia to advance peace. To this end, we could create an effective international platform to control dual-use exports.
Predictability has become a rare thing these days. But Denmark is the country that leaves no room for doubt. It’s a country and a people we can rely on. Denmark brings a sense of predictability. You keep your promises, and together we achieve meaningful results. Thank you.
I thank our friends leading the EU institutions—António and Ursula. Even on symbolic days like the start of the presidency, we make real decisions. We talked about the need to close the gaps in defense funding. We are working to get real results from our joint defense programs.
I began my visit to Denmark with an important deal: Ukraine – US co-production agreement focused on various types of drones. Several companies are involved. We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of drones this year, with a scale-up planned for the next.
The key priority is interceptor drones that have already proven effective in Ukraine. We’ve tested models from several companies, and now we’re signing serious contracts. We’re counting on these interceptors to take down “shaheds” in large numbers.
This is a strong start in the right direction. We also agreed with our partners that certain Ukrainian production lines will gain access to the relevant technologies, allowing us to ramp up manufacturing more quickly and at greater scale.
Addressing the Fair Play Conference, I stressed: Russia’s war is critically dependent on its trade with the outside world. We need a new international platform to control dual-use exports and protect ourselves from Russia and its accomplices.
Russian missiles, drones, nearly all battlefield equipment that actually works, as well as their finances, tech companies, and communications, rely on how Russia trades with the world, sells oil and other goods, imports technology, equipment, and components.
Russian weapons production directly depends on access to advanced machinery. Their missiles and drones are built with dozens of critical components that they import through various schemes from other countries. The Russian budget hinges on oil and gas revenues.
Addressing the European Council, I stated: the world is clearly unstable. But the EU plays a key role in preventing Russia’s war from spreading and in moving toward peace. Its sanctions against Russia remain one of the most effective tools for limiting the aggression.
It’s important not to forget that the war Russia brought to Europe is still ongoing. In Moscow, there are still plans to expand this pressure against Ukraine, against European countries, and against the EU itself.
This is Putin’s dream: a fragmented Europe, where marginal voices gain influence and speak not for unity, but for division. Russia supports anyone, no matter how extreme, who tries to weaken Europe from the inside.