Today at 16:20
Prime Minister Orban!
President Michel!
Dear leaders!
I am glad for this opportunity to meet and work together in the interests of Europe and our peoples.
Yesterday, I spoke with President Trump, as many of you did. It was a good, productive conversation. Of course, we still cannot know exactly what his actions will be. But we hope that America will become stronger. This is the America that Europe needs. And a strong Europe is what America needs. This is the bond between allies that we must cherish and cannot lose.
We face many challenges. Since our last meeting in this format, there has been a significant escalation of the Russian war. And it is Russia that has caused this escalation. North Korea is now, in fact, waging war in Europe. North Korean soldiers are trying to kill our people on European soil.
Since the July summit of the European Political Community in the UK, there have been many discussions about the need to submit to Putin, to retreat, to make some “concessions.” And some of those present here strongly advocated for Ukraine to make “concessions” to Putin. This is unacceptable for Ukraine and suicidal for all of Europe. What comes next? Should Europe seek favor from Kim Jong Un, hoping that he too will give Europe peace? No strong leader, who helped build a united, strong, and peaceful Europe, could ever imagine such a thing. But the concept of “peace through strength” has repeatedly proven its realism and effectiveness. Now, it is needed again.
There should be no illusions that weakness or trading European positions or the status of a European country can buy a fair peace. It simply doesn’t work that way. Peace is a reward only for the strong. Therefore, there is no alternative to a strong Europe. And for strength, unity is key.
Russia did not start this war because it needed more territory. Russia has more land than anyone. It wanted global power, first control over Ukraine, and then over all of you, as it was once 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.
First of all, I thank all of you for supporting Ukraine and our people. We are defending ourselves not from Russian words, but from Russian attacks. Therefore, we need enough weapons, not support in negotiations. Hugs with Putin won’t help. Some of you have been hugging him for 20 years, and it only gets worse. He thinks only of wars and will not change. Only pressure can restrain him.
Second, we have built a clear diplomatic system capable of pushing Russia toward a just peace. Most of the countries represented here have joined this effort for effective diplomacy. At thematic conferences, every point of the Peace Formula has already been discussed. Nuclear security, food security, energy, the return of prisoners and deported persons to Ukraine, full adherence to international law, and much more. We need to push Russia toward this. And a just peace will be our common victory. The victory plan is on your table. Thus, Ukraine was the first to propose changing our common strategy to achieve – as quickly as possible – a just peace.
And let me emphasize: this war is happening on Ukrainian soil. Ukraine is grateful for all the support from our partners, and we are open to any constructive ideas for achieving a just peace for our country. But it is Ukraine that must decide what should and should not be on the agenda for ending this war.
The bill for this war must be presented to the Russians, not to Ukraine. So that Russia can no longer make its false claims to everyone – from the Baltic countries 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.
Third, during this war, we have seen the ineffectiveness of certain European approaches.
For example, the closer a country is to Russia, the weaker the concept of neutrality becomes. The swift accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO demonstrated how European leaders and NATO leaders actually envision guaranteed security – not in words, but through NATO. Ukraine has taken note of this.
Fourth, Russian assets. I want to thank each leader who defends Ukraine’s right to use funds from Russian assets to defend against Russian aggression. The Russian state values neither people nor morals – it values only money. And therefore, for them, it will also be a lesson when Russian assets work for Ukraine. Frankly, these are Ukrainian funds. It is in Ukraine that Russian troops have destroyed hundreds of cities and villages. Millions of our people have lost their homes. This requires funds. And now, instead of finding reasons for delaying decisions, we need to find a mechanism to direct funds to Ukraine so that they can start working as soon as possible.
Fifth, Putin’s funds for the war. We all know that Russia is still making enough profit from oil sales to continue the war. Russia still avoids sanctions and buys components for drones and missiles around the world. Russia still has the ability to sow instability and interfere in the affairs of nations in regions like the Sahel, North Africa, the Middle East, and countries like Yemen. Why is Putin doing this?
We need leverage over him. It is needed by all of Europe.
And together, we can not only stop Russia’s war against Ukraine, but also respond to other challenges. This is possible for us – for Europe, not for one individual leader. I ask you to unite to protect the common interests of our peoples. And we must also work together with our allies for our common interests.
Thank you for your attention! Thank you for your support.
Glory to Ukraine!
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