President: We need enough weapons, not hugs with Putin

Russia does not need more territories, but first wants control over Ukraine, and then over the whole of Europe. Ukraine needs more weapons, not a hug with Putin, as some European leaders do. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a speech at the summit of the European Political Community, UNN reports.

Russia started this war not because it needs more territory. Russia has more land than anyone else. It wanted global power, first to control Ukraine, and then to control all of you, as it used to do under Soviet or imperial rule. Budapest remembers what Soviet tanks looked like. Ukrainian cities will not forget Russian bombs. And just like Budapest, every city in Ukraine and all our countries deserve security and peace 

He noted that Ukraine is defending itself not from Russian words, but from Russian attacks, so it needs enough weapons, not support in negotiations.

Hugging Putin will not help. Some of you have been hugging him for 20 years, and things are only getting worse. He thinks only of wars and will not change. Only pressure can restrain him. We have built a clear diplomatic system that can push Russia to a just peace. Most of the countries represented here have joined this work for the sake of effective diplomacy. Each point of the Peace Formula has already been discussed at thematic conferences. Nuclear security, food security, energy, the return of prisoners and deportees to Ukraine, full compliance with international law, and much more. We need to push Russia to do this. And a just peace will be our common victory. The victory plan is on your table. Therefore, Ukraine was the first to propose to change our common strategy to achieve a just peace as soon as possible 

According to him, Ukraine is open to any constructive ideas to achieve a just peace, but it is Ukraine that should decide what should and should not be on the agenda to end this war.

"The bill for this war should be paid by the Russians, not Ukraine. So that Russia can no longer make its false claims to everyone around it, from the Baltic States to the Balkans. Any country, any leader who respects international law and sits at this table must understand that predators always demand more and more prey," the Head of State emphasized.

Recall

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a productive phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump, saying it is impossible to predict his specific steps at this time, but there is hope for a stronger America.