Since the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in July, there has been a significant escalation of the war by Russia, with the involvement of North Korean troops. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his speech at the fifth EPC Summit in Budapest.
The Head of State stressed that the concept of “peace through strength” has proven its realism and effectiveness more than once, and now it is needed once more.
The President thanked all those present in the hall for supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, as well as for advocating our country's right to use funds from Russian assets to defend itself against Russian aggression.
“We are defending ourselves not against Russian words, but against Russian attacks. Therefore, we need sufficient weapons, not support in talks. Hugs with Putin will not help. Some leaders have been hugging him for 20 years, and things are only getting worse. He thinks only about wars and will not change. Only pressure can put limits on him,” he said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged world leaders to push Russia towards a just peace, to find a mechanism that would allow Russian assets to start working for Ukraine as soon as possible, and to limit the aggressor state's ability to profit from oil sales and to circumvent sanctions.
“The bill for this war should be sent to the Russians, not to Ukraine. So that Russia can no longer advance its false claims to everyone around – from the Baltics to the Balkans. Any country, any leader who respects international law and sits at this table should understand that predators always demand more and more gain,” the President emphasized.
On Thursday, Budapest, Hungary, hosts the Fifth European Political Community Summit, which was established in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The first summit was held in the Czech Republic in October 2022, the second in Moldova last June, the third in Spain in October, and the fourth in the United Kingdom this July.
