For Russia, Ukraine is not a country, but a resource – a military ramp for future invasions, Zelenski says at Southeast Europe Summit
Nicuşor Dan, Maia Sandu and Volodimir Zelenski at the Ukraine Summit – Southeast Europe, held in Odessa. Credit: Oleksandr Gimanov / AFP / Profimedia
The Security of Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region is indivisible, the Ukrainian president Volodimir Zelenski said on Wednesday. He showed that Ukraine did not fight with Russia only to defend himself, but to defend the whole European continent.
“The Security of Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region is indivisible. Ukraine has understood this since 2014. The whole continent has become aware of it in 2022. And even today we have to fight not only for our country, but also for this reality to become the foundation of a new regional policy,” Volodimir Zelenski said.
The Kiev leader spoke about the involvement of the Moscow regime in the internal policies of the countries of southeast Europe, including Romania. He also asked for European support for the Republic of Moldova, in the context of the parliamentary elections this autumn.
“Supporting a European Moldova is an essential task for us all”
“Unfortunately, our region is one of Russia's main targets, trying to sow chaos. I saw this in the Balkans, where Moscow has fueled ethnic tensions, sabotage acts and attempts to coup. I saw public opinion in Romania, orchestrated with the involvement of Moscow. Under total control. A military ramp for future invasions.
He accused Vladimir Putin of not wanting to put an end to the war and asked Europe for harsher sanctions against Russia.
“It is clear to all: Putin does not want to end this war. He believes that as long as he can dominate his neighbors, he remains political in life. But no matter what he thinks, our mission is to force him to seek peace and political survival by non-military means. Sanctions is vital.
“Each European country has the right to choose its own road in Security”
Referring to NATO, Zelenski said that this military alliance is the “key to European security architecture.”
“Mutual support for EU and NATO's expansion is essential. And Ukraine's accession must progress-we have met all the conditions. Delay does not help anyone. And NATO is the key to European security architecture. Each European country has the right to choose its own road. Digital must show concrete annual progress.
11 heads of states, governments or leaders of parliaments in Romania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Albania, Bulgaria Croatia and Greece took part in the meeting in Odessa.
Nicuşor Dan, at the Odessa summit: we must be firm in denouncing Russia's actions, which does everything possible to undermine the path to peace.
Maia Sandu, warning for the countries of the Balkans: “If Ukraine loses, Russia will not stop in Moldova”
