Thread by @ZelenskyyUa

At the Ukraine–South East Europe Summit, I emphasized the importance of stability in the Balkans. Like in Eastern Europe, what happens in the Balkans determines whether Europe faces war. That’s why Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian invasion is vital for the region’s stability.

This is a third meeting in this format, and I am grateful for supporting Ukraine and its people, for hospitality of participating countries to Ukrainian wounded soldiers recovering in their states, and especially for participation in the Peace Summit and immediate joining to the final communique.

All of these counties really try to end this war in a just way. We value the relationships between our nations, which strengthen us and make the world more stable. Unfortunately, stability is becoming a rare resource. So every source of security for people and every source of true peace in international relations is precious.

If Russia had succeeded in subjugating our country and threatening all of Eastern Europe, there’s no doubt that the next region Moscow would use to destabilize Europe would be the Baltics or Balkans. We share a common interest in ensuring that Russia lacks the power to continue its aggression or interfere in the lives of other nations.

We must do everything to reduce Russia’s capacity to destabilize Europe and the world. I’m grateful to every country that has already concluded bilateral security agreements with us. There are 26 agreements as of now, and I invite all others to join.

It’s crucial that this security structure covers all of Europe. When countries are united by strong security ties, this fabric of peace becomes impossible to tear apart by external interference.

Russia’s war against Ukraine shows the world what modern warfare looks like. Every leader must focus on ensuring their armies are technologically advanced. We offer cooperation in this area.

Ukraine is capable of producing more modern weaponry, and we need investments to make this happen. This will help us now and guarantee the strength of your own arsenals after the war.

Drone production, electronic warfare, equipment, and ammunition manufacturing in Ukraine – these are opportunities for your region to protect its peace as well. I want to highlight ammunition production. Please invest in developing these industries in your countries, especially in components for ammunition.

Even with much political tension, we must ensure our unity in Europe remains as stable as possible. If Europe isn’t united, it won’t be peaceful. The integration processes that have begun must reach their results. The EU must unite the entire continent – all of Europe’s democratic nations, all your countries, all this region and our Eastern Europe.

I thank everyone supporting Ukraine’s membership in the EU. This will certainly be achieved, and we must coordinate our efforts for faster, common success. I propose that we work even more closely with candidate countries at the team level to make our integration smoother.

As part of the G7+ meeting in New York, we recently signed a declaration on Ukraine’s recovery. Over 30 countries have already supported it, and I invite all other partners to join as well. This will boost economic growth for all of us and strengthen our resilience.

We’re not just talking about rebuilding what was destroyed by Russia, by this war, but also creating new energy, industrial, and social opportunities. This will make Europe stronger in global competition and play a role in our century, just as the Marshall Plan did for Europe’s strength in the last century.

Since July, we’ve been working on the points of the Peace Formula, and by November, a document – the Peace Framework – will be ready that outlines the conditions for a just end to the war.

We’re preparing the Second Peace Summit later this year, and I thank all of you involved in this process. Of course, the question remains – how do we compel Russia to make peace? How do we compel those responsible for the war to follow the Peace Formula? Right now, Russia is avoiding honest diplomacy.

That’s why we in Ukraine have developed an action plan that can bridge the gap between the current situation and a successful Peace Summit. For us, this is a Victory Plan. For each of your countries, it’s a plan for reliable stability.

When the Plan is fully implemented, Russia will lose the ability to threaten us and Europe. The Plan was presented to the United States – our largest security donor. Now we are sharing its points with all those who can help us achieve its goals. You can help with a key geopolitical goal.

The first point of the Plan focuses on whether the deficit of geopolitical certainty in Europe will be resolved. Does Ukraine have a place in NATO? If “yes,” and this is confirmed – Putin will lose geopolitically.

Russia must accept that Europe has borders, independent nations, and each nation has the right to choose its future. The truth is that Russia’s acceptance of this reality can only begin with the understanding that Ukraine will never again be subjugated by Russia.

Your nations and people are just as interested in this outcome as we are. That’s why inviting Ukraine into NATO and future membership for Ukraine would be real steps toward peace. Without geopolitical certainty, peace is impossible.

In October, November, and December, we have a real chance to move things toward peace and lasting stability. The situation on the battlefield creates an opportunity for decisive action to end the war no later than in 2025.

We’re counting on President Biden’s leadership and the strong and wise steps of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy to bring security and peace to Europe. And we’re counting on each and every one of you.