Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the international community must act together to eliminate threats in the Strait of Hormuz and protect freedom of navigation. Zelenskyy made this statement in an address to participants of an online meeting on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by UNN.
We all must work together to remove threats in the Strait of Hormuz in a way that helps protect freedom of navigation worldwide. Decisions made regarding Hormuz now will determine how other aggressive actors perceive the possibility of creating problems in other straits and on other fronts. We must be as specific and clear as possible so that in six months we do not find ourselves in the same situation as in Gaza, where much still needs to be done: security there is still largely unstable, reconstruction has practically not begun, and many humanitarian problems remain unresolved. In Hormuz, there are security challenges that cannot be solved by political decisions alone.
He noted that it is necessary to determine what in Hormuz depends on everyone, and what depends on the United States. It is also important to involve Middle Eastern countries in a way that takes into account their common interests. The key principle is that after the war, security must be strengthened, not weakened.
Secondly, we need to organize a meeting of our military teams as soon as possible and work through all critical aspects of how a security mission in Hormuz could operate and what experience each side can offer. Ukraine has already carried out a very similar mission in the Black Sea. Russia also tried to block our sea, and we have experience in escorting merchant ships, demining, protecting against air attacks, and general coordination of such operations. Ukrainians are already working in the Gulf region on air security. We can also contribute to maritime security.
According to him, the war in Iran negatively affects the situation in Europe due to Russia's war against Ukraine, as Russia is not going to reduce the number and brutality of its attacks, while the United States may weaken pressure on it, which could lead to a shortage of weapons, especially air defense systems.
Therefore, Europe must take even stronger steps to protect lives, primarily to counter ballistic threats and maintain pressure on Russia. I am grateful to all countries that help us in this, including supplying air defense systems, supporting PURL, and accelerating domestic production. The main regions of the world must rely more on their own forces: Europe, the Middle East and Gulf countries, as well as the main regions of Asia, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Recall
Due to the war in Iran, risks arise for the supply of weapons to Ukraine, but Kyiv is already working with partners to minimize possible consequences.