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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On the battlefield situation: it remains difficult. It’s complicated because of the enemy numbers, the volume of drones, shifting technologies: today one kind of drone/EW line works; tomorrow drones and engines change, other EW lines work. What matters first: we control the front.
Claims that Russia is “advancing in the east” are misplaced. I heard this from many. Russia is better at disinformation than on the battlefield. Their advantage is in manpower numbers. Their strongest grouping is in the east, but they are in very difficult conditions.
What I heard – that the Russians are “advancing” and will occupy our east in three months – is simply not true. They won’t do it in years. I wish our partners’ intelligence services had daily consultations with the Ukrainian intel – directly from the battlefield.
Putin doesnʼt believe in Europe, America, the West. So he wages war. He believes in China, Iran, North Korea, seeks strategic treaties there. He bets money will corrupt everyone and buy indulgence. His plan: try to buy indulgence and continue the war. Question is: whoʼs buying?
When the envoy of President Trump is in Kyiv, there are no massive Russian air strikes. This doesnʼt work with representatives of other states or international organizations, even the UN, OSCE or IMF. Perhaps it would work with a representative of China, but it seems China is not interested in stopping – even if not the whole war – at least the strikes.
China has called for a ceasefire in this war. But Putin ignored it. That didn’t stop Beijing from hosting him with open arms and talking about what matters most – longevity. Russia also ignored India’s calls to end the war and its statements that our era is not the era of war. This applies to everyone else in the world.
Since 1 am, our military tracked the movement of Russian drones toward the Polish border. This was not an accident or a mistake, it was deliberate. Russia used both Ukrainian and Belarusian territory to enter Polish airspace.
Almost two dozen drones entered Poland, and it seems that less than half of the total number came from Ukraine. This was a calculated Russian activity. And we all saw the result, how difficult it was to counter.
Ukraine offered Poland the necessary assistance in responding. No one can guarantee that there won’t be hundreds of drones if there are already dozens. Only united European forces can give real protection.
Addressing the Ambrosetti Forum I stressed: Europe needs a new network of modern defense production – countries supporting each other, producing protection not just for themselves but for all of Europe. This will make Europe stronger and more resilient.
Even as Russia tries to prolong the war, we are already building a security system that will push it toward peace. On land, in the air, at sea – our strength that will pressure Russia to stop the war.
We need more systems to shoot down missiles and drones, and modern fighter jets. Russia’s main tool of war is killing civilians. Limiting their ability to attack means moving closer to peace.
A strong Ukrainian army is and will remain the central element of security guarantees. Its capabilities – funding, weapons, production – that we ensure now, and should be in a year, in five years, in ten years from now. Both in wartime and to guarantee security in peace.
Today was the largest meeting of the Coalition of the Willing so far in terms of the number of countries. I thank all the leaders who joined us today in Paris and online, as well as the representatives of states, for their engagement, ideas, and their readiness to support us on the path to peace with concrete steps.
The key theme: ending the war as soon as possible through strong steps, strong decisions and to guarantee security for Ukraine. In fact, every meeting is built around two elements: our security already now, that is, support for defense and diplomacy, and long-term security guarantees.
At Ukraine-Nordic-Baltic States Summit, I noted that Russian economy is in bad shape: fuel and labor shortages, many industries in decline. Putin constantly humiliates before China as he tries to sell them as much raw material as possible. This is telling – sanctions are working.
Last night, Russia launched another massive strike – nearly 500 drones and over 20 missiles, including ballistic. These strikes are now regular, several times a week. A clear signal that Russia rejects any attempt to end the war and wants to keep fighting. We must assume this is Russia’s main scenario now.
We began a concrete discussion with partners on two key issues: our defense now, while Russia’s war continues, and our defense in the future – the security guarantees we need, since Russia stays on its course.