Category: Attack on Ukraine

The speech made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 21 November 2022.

Dear Mr. President of the Assembly!

Dear attendees!

Dear representatives of Spain and all other countries of the Alliance!

Dear friends!

I am glad to see you and thank you for all the kind words that have just been spoken and will be spoken in the Assembly in our support – in support of the struggle for freedom.

Today, Ukraine marks the ninth anniversary of the beginning of Maidan – the Revolution of Dignity. In those months of 2013-2014, when Ukrainians in the squares and streets of our cities defended the right to European choice for our state, an important thing happened for our entire community – a community of nations united by the values of freedom, respect for law, democracy and diversity.

Ukrainians filled with a powerful life force what many began to think was just a bureaucratic formality. Ukrainians and all people in Europe, in America, in the world, who supported us and continue to support us, filled the flag of the European Union with new energy. And in fact, with the way we defend freedom in Ukraine, we united both the European Union and NATO. We showed the commonality of challenges and proved the commonality of values.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Although Ukraine has not yet become a full-fledged part of the EU and NATO, I am addressing you on behalf of the people who have always been, are and will be part of the valuable space to which you all belong. History brought us to different sides of ideological walls. But the walls fell, and our values are all preserved.

And not only me, but millions of our people and the majority of citizens of your states support the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. Now, when we are defending European values ​​not in the squares and streets, but on the battlefield in a full-scale war, it is absolutely obvious how unfair and unnatural Ukraine’s alienation from Europe was. We will not leave a single percent of that alienation.

I urge you to do everything in your power so that our community of nations – nations of values – will never again be divided or weakened!

All of you see what endangers us. All of us! All who cannot imagine their life without freedom. All of you can see Ukraine’s significant contribution to the protection of our community. Everyone sees how important it is that we really united in defense after February 24.

So, due to this, you also see that Ukraine should become a full member of the European Union and NATO. And I urge you to support our applications for membership in the EU and the Alliance!

Ukrainians do not just believe – Ukrainians are sure that we can defend ourselves in this war and return the borders of a united Europe to the entire length of our eastern and southern borders. Ukrainians do not just believe – Ukrainians know that the strength of our democracy will be a guarantee that no tyranny to the east of us will be able to threaten Europe.

But in order to realize all these years, to realize all this, we have to use all the strength of our community, all the potential of our cooperation in order to gradually stop this terrorist Russian war and restore peace.

That is why I proposed the Ukrainian Peace Formula. All points of our Peace Formula are beyond doubt.

Every nation in our community is interested in ensuring that no dangerous incidents occur at nuclear facilities. We all want Russian terrorists to no longer be able to take people’s lives. Each of our states needs guaranteed protection against any Russian missiles and any sabotage against infrastructure facilities. We are all interested in the stability of energy, food and other markets. We all strive for international law to retain its force and actually work. Each of us considers it fair that those guilty of war crimes, deportations and any manifestations of genocidal policy should be brought to justice. We all wish there would be no burnt cities and ruins instead of a normal life anywhere in Europe.

All this is ensured by the Ukrainian Peace Formula, which, without being mistaken, can be called both the European peace formula and the world peace formula, as it is built on respect and protection of universal human values, on international law. From nuclear safety to the restoration of our territorial integrity, from the Tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine to countering ecocide – everything is envisaged in our Formula.

Dear friends!

I suggest that you and your countries choose the point of the peace formula in which you can show your leadership. Joint action is what constitutes true peacemaking.

And while we concentrate our forces to implement this Formula, we must maintain one hundred percent principled position in countering Russian aggression. Russia has bet on a genocidal policy, and that is why it is destroying our energy infrastructure. To “kill” electricity, water and heat supply in winter – and this is Russia’s goal – is to put the lives of millions of people in direct danger. This is equivalent to the use of weapons of mass destruction – an absolute crime.

Therefore, it will be right if you in your parliaments designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, as the parliaments of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic have done. It will be right if your countries constantly strengthen sanctions against Russia, which has become the complete opposite of our community and the most anti-European power in the world. It is the constant strengthening of sanctions that will not allow the terrorist state to adapt and find new ways of ensuring its terror. A new, ninth sanctions package of the European Union is needed, new world sanctions against Russia for terror – immediately after limiting export prices for Russian energy resources.

It will be right if we prevent Russia’s key terrorist plan and provide Ukraine with full protection of the sky. When Russian missiles, Iranian drones, and any other instruments of terror fail to reach their intended targets, Russia will have to do what we need, namely, follow our Peace Formula.

We can ensure this! But for this, Ukraine needs to be provided with a sufficient number and quality of air defense and missile defense systems. With a sufficient weight of defense and financial support. The terrorist state must see that it stands no chance.

Since 2013 and until today, Ukrainians, with the support of our friends, have demonstrated that nothing is impossible for us when we are truly united and defend our unconditional values. So, let’s maintain our unity! And let’s fight for freedom!

I thank all of you for your support!

Long live freedom!

Glory to Ukraine!

The letter made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 20 November 2022.

Your Excellency!

Please accept my most sincere congratulations on Your anniversary!

You have dedicated Your life to serving the ideals of democracy. Your political activity is an example for many generations of politicians. For Ukraine, You are the leader of the free world, who consolidates international efforts aimed at protecting the fundamental values ​​of freedom and justice.

Allow me to express gratitude for everything You are doing to support Ukraine in the most difficult and defining moment of our history.

Your decisions help save people`s lives and bring closer our joint victory in the war against a cruel aggressor.

It is extremely important for us that the United States of America and You personally stand with us in this extremely difficult time.

Mr. President, I wish You and Your family good health, further success in Your responsible work, as well as peace and prosperity to the American people.

The speech made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 20 November 2022.

Dear friends!

Dear leaders!

I want to tell you now about a typical day in our country. Unfortunately, typical… And not through our fault. A day of this week.

Ask yourself: what have you been busy with this Tuesday? What were you worried about? What did you feel?

For Ukraine, this Tuesday is almost a hundred missile strikes. A hundred different missiles against our cities. Against residential buildings. Against enterprises. Against power plants.

Do you know what this missile strike is? It’s more than 20 million people without electricity. Such was the damage to the power system, such was the urgent emergency shutdown. The reactors at two of our nuclear power plants also shut down due to missile damage to the energy industry.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

You all know what a terrible war Russia is waging against Ukraine. You all know how we want to restore peace. All of you could hear what we have to offer for this. The Ukrainian peace formula is very clear, and each of its points has been thoroughly worked out.

Radiation and nuclear safety. Food security. Energy security. Release of all prisoners and deportees. Implementation of the UN Charter and restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the world order. Withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities. Restoring justice. Countering ecocide. Prevention of escalation. Fixing the end of the war.

Each of these points are specific decisions, what needs to be done for security. Russian aggression will not simply stop – stability and predictability will be restored for everyone in the world. That is why our formula for peace is a formula for peace for the world.

And I suggest to all leaders, to all conscientious countries, to choose the element of the peace formula that you can help us implement.

Ukraine really wants peace. But in order to restore peace, we need support. That is why I am turning to you now.

Ukraine always helps. Dozens of countries in the world, whose security directly depends on cooperation with Ukraine, know this for sure.

This year it was confirmed again. When Russia blocked the Black Sea and our ports, hundreds of millions of people in various countries found themselves on the brink of an acute food crisis. When we managed to restore our exports and return millions of tons of Ukrainian agricultural products to the food market, a sense of stability finally began to appear.

That is why it is so important that we stop Russian aggression. This is not just about our country, which Russia is trying to take over. It’s not just about our land and resources that Russia wants to appropriate.

It’s about something more. About stability for everyone in the world. This is about our common radiation safety – so that not a single Russian missile hits our nuclear power plants. This is about our common energy security – so that the destabilization of energy markets, which Russia uses as a weapon, finally stops. This is about our common food security – so that people have basic food on their tables. Peace in Ukraine is peace for you too.

Today is the 270th day of the full-scale war. Russia used more than 4,700 missiles. Hundreds of our cities are simply burned. Thousands of people died. Hundreds of thousands were forcibly deported to Russia. Millions left Ukraine for other countries, fleeing the war.

We have to stop it. We must stop Russian aggression.

I always say this: the return of peace is possible! But it is possible when everyone in the world understands that no one in the world deserves a single day of terror.

Thank you for your attention!

Thank you for your support!

Glory to Ukraine!

The speech made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 19 November 2022.

Dear friends!

Maybe most of the discussions at this year`s forum will address one question – how to end the Russian war.

But I will ask you to formulate a more precise question – how to restore real and just peace.

Simply the end of the war does not guarantee peace. Russia is now looking for a short truce – a respite to regain strength. Someone may call this the war`s end. But such a respite will only worsen the situation.

Any voiced ideas of our land`s concessions or of our sovereignty cannot be called peace. Immoral compromises will lead to new blood.

A truly real, long-lasting and honest peace can only be the result of the complete demolition of Russian aggression.

There are 10 items in the Ukrainian Peace Formula. These are challenges which should be overcome for the sake of security of Ukraine, Europe and the world. This is the Peace Formula for the world.

Ukraine proposed precisely such a Peace Formula. I presented it to the UN General Assembly and the G20 Summit. And I am asking you to help us implement this formula! This is the only way to real peace.

First item is radiation and nuclear safety. The second one is food security. The third is energy security. The fourth is the release of all war prisoners and deportees. The fifth is the implementation of the UN Charter and the restoration of our territorial integrity and world order. The sixth is the pull out of Russian troops and the end of hostilities. The seventh is the restoration of justice, namely the Tribunal for those guilty of aggression crime, and – damages compensation. The eighth is countering ecocide. Ninth are the security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent escalation. And the tenth is the confirmation of the war`s end.

What is the goal of such approach?

We emphasize on all of the elements of Russian aggression, and offer our partners to demolish all aspects of aggression together with us in order to provide security. That is something where each of our partners can show their leadership.

We have already succeeded in some things, for example, we extended the grain export initiative and offer a new humanitarian initiative – Grain From Ukraine to enhance food security.

In the same way, we can go step by step in other items of our Peace Formula.

I suggest you, dear Forum participants, to choose the possible leadership options for your countries. Each item of our Peace Formula has the proposals for particular solutions. Please choose which item you can help with.

I believe that Canada, which strongly supports us, will also choose one of the Peace Formula items for itself and will show all the strength of its leadership.

I assure you that peace is possible! But for it to exist, we must make impossible Russian aggression – all of its elements.

Let it happen! Let there be peace!

Glory to Ukraine!

The speech made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 18 November 2022.

Dear friends!

Mr. Minister, Mr. President, dear students!

I am glad to see you!

While preparing for this meeting, I learned that Russia has recently imposed sanctions against 52 political figures of your country.

And for what? For the fact that your country supports European efforts to end Russian terror and to revive international law.

Of course, the restrictions imposed by Russia do not particularly affect anything. This is more of a propaganda thing, so that on Russian television they can lie that Russia is allegedly capable of something in diplomacy.

But after seeing this message about your 52 politicians, I remembered another number – 52, and a recent one too. And also the one that is related to sanctions.

As you know, the summit of the countries with the largest economies just took place in Indonesia. And the participants of the summit agreed on a joint declaration – exactly 52 points. Quite meaningful – they reflect many existing global problems.

Formally, Russia also supported the declaration, but in reality, it violates most of the things contained in the declaration. And some of the acute global problems that the “twenty” declares to solve are deliberately created by Russia.

That is, after carefully reading these 52 points of the Bali Declaration, you can see why international pressure on Russia, particularly sanctions, should be not only maintained, but also intensified. Russia continues to destroy international relations and people’s lives, and pretends that it is fighting against this destabilization together with everyone.

This is from the fourth point of the declaration: “It is important to uphold international law and the multilateral system that guarantees peace and stability… Today’s era must not be an era of war.”

And this is when Russia mobilized all resources to not only turn our time into a time of war, but to become the largest terrorist state in history.

Point five of the declaration – Russia says that it will allegedly, together with others, take measures to promote energy stability and market stability.

And at the same time, when this summit in Indonesia is still going on, Russia is carrying out a missile attack against our country. Almost a hundred missiles – specifically against the energy sphere. Another missile attack the next day. And not only against power plants, but also against gas production facilities. This is energy stability in Russian.

The thirteenth point of the Bali Declaration is about combating climate change. Russia allegedly confirms the protection of the natural environment, but it has already destroyed almost three million hectares of forests in our country with its aggression! They were burned by shelling. And this is only one of thousands of crimes committed by Russia against the environment.

Point 22 of the declaration – “Countries will make every effort for timely access to vaccines, therapeutic and diagnostic tools.”

And in fact, hundreds of hospitals were destroyed by Russian shelling. In most of the territory occupied by Russia, there is no access to medicine at all. Even to the simplest medicines, to surgical operations, to insulin… And this is in Europe. In 2022.

And this is the case for almost all 52 points of the Bali Declaration. You read and see the scale of Russia’s lies and that it is now the biggest threat to the world.

I will add point 44. It specifically states: “Access to education is a human right and a key tool for inclusive and sustainable economic recovery.”

Do you know how many educational institutions in Ukraine the Russian army destroyed in 9 months of war? 2,719 were shelled, and 332 were completely destroyed. These are universities, schools…

Dear friends!

Russian aggression does not stop for a single day. Just as Russian lies to the world never stop. Therefore, for all this, the international pressure on Russia should not stop for a single day. And this can be done not only by politicians, but also by everyone at their own level.

Of course, new sanctions should be applied against Russia. It is effective. A new European sanctions package is needed. Please defend this need at the pan-European level.

We must be active in spreading the truth about the war and the crises provoked by it. This is something that all of you can definitely do. Please talk about what is happening and find a format convenient for you to support honest media or bloggers who cover global affairs and, in particular, Russian aggression.

And please look for specific projects that can help our defense and our people. The more collective efforts are made, the sooner we will force Russia to leave the territory of Ukraine and fulfill its obligations to the world.

Thank you for your attention!

Thank you for your support, Ireland!

Glory to Ukraine!

The speech made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 17 November 2022.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Thank you for your attention to Ukraine!

Our communication today actually finalizes the work of your Forum, it is symbolic.

Symbolic, because the global situation directly depends on when and how the Russian aggression will end.

Look at how many threats and crises for everyone in the world have been provoked by this aggression. I will give three examples now, but there are more – much more.

Another Russian terrorist attack has just taken place, in the morning – dozens of missiles, civilian objects are the main target. Russia is fighting against electricity and heat for people, blowing up power plants and other energy facilities.

This is everyday life in Ukraine now – because of Russian terror. That is why we put so much effort into getting modern air defense and anti-missile defense systems from our partners. Plus constant hostilities on the frontline more than a thousand kilometers long.

What does this mean from a global perspective?

Instead of investing trillions of dollars in the development of human capital, the world will spend colossal amounts of money on rearmament – in addition to those already planned. You will see.

Now everyone is paying close attention to how we defend ourselves in Ukraine. They look – which weapons are the best, which tactics work, which defense systems give the maximum result.

To be honest, few countries could now defend themselves against aggression as intensively as we do. So many shells and weapons are simply non-existent. But there are still more potential aggressors in the world and frozen conflicts that can flare up again than such countries. Hence, there is an insane security deficit.

Therefore, the more forms of terror Russia will use in this war, the more funds the world will eventually direct to weapons and to defense against a potential repetition of such attacks as we are experiencing.

Another example… Instead of paying maximum attention to the green transformation, various governments are equally looking for ways to guarantee cheaper supplies of oil, gas, and coal in order to lower energy prices.

It is the price of energy, not the purity of energy, that is the number 1 issue for many. And it wouldn’t be like that if it weren’t for Russian aggression – and Russia’s use of energy resources as a weapon.

The third example… In just a few weeks, the threat of starvation for tens of millions of people arose completely artificially. Not because of a drought or an economic crisis, but because of the military blockade of our ports – a food exporting country.

The world has not seen anything like this for decades.

Any new disaster in one or another country due to high food prices or, God forbid, due to famine, is minus years for global development.

Many different topics were discussed at your Forum during these days… But how many of them do not depend on what Russian aggression has brought and, unfortunately, can still bring? Minority.

Therefore, when Ukraine offers a peace formula, it is really a peace formula not just for us, but for the world.

When the threat is complex, the response must be complex as well. Nothing can be solved by simply ceasing fire. This is our formula. We need to restore peace – reliably and for the long term. You will not restore stability by simply mitigating the crises provoked by Russia. Every threat must be completely dismantled.

The other day, at the summit in Indonesia, I presented exactly such proposals of ours – reliable peace and complete dismantling of Russian threats. And I thank everyone who supports the Ukrainian peace formula.

And now I want to add one more component.

What does peace mean? It’s very practical, actually. This is saving lives. Stabilization. Development.

Development!

Already now, by joining the reconstruction of Ukraine, various countries and companies are receiving incentives for growth.

But when we restore territorial integrity and guarantee reliable peace, Ukraine will become a powerful source of new global development.

And it’s not just about the economy. It’s about the modern economy.

I will give you three more examples.

Ukraine is able to replace dirty fossil fuels from Russia with clean energy.

We have huge potential in low-carbon energy. Ukraine is capable of becoming a key partner of the European Union for the purposes of decarbonization.

We will become one of the main suppliers of green hydrogen and green electricity in the EU.

Climatic conditions of Ukraine, free space, solar energy, wind energy will allow the production of green electricity with a very competitive cost.

Just three years before the Russian invasion, we built 7 gigawatts of renewable energy. The potential is many times more.

Plus, Ukraine can produce tens of millions of tons of green and cheap ammonia. Plus, strong positions in bioenergy. Plus, powerful nuclear energy and energy infrastructure, which is integrated with the energy grid of the European Union.

Now the Russian missile terror is targeted primarily at these our facilities. Only the day before yesterday, Russia fired almost a hundred missiles against our energy facilities in one day. Almost a hundred! Today again…

Of course, the losses are great. But this only means that the reconstruction will be large-scale.

I invite your countries and companies to already assess the prospects and join our reconstruction.

By the way, we now have the decision of one of the largest Australian private investment groups, which has committed to invest the first 500 million dollars specifically in the Green Growth Initiative of Ukraine as part of the creation of the $25 billion Recovery Fund.

I am grateful to Mr. Andrew Forrest for the decision to be the first, and also to Mr. Larry Fink of BlackRock for helping to structure this Fund.

Another example is resource extraction.

The modern economy needs lithium, graphite and other rare earth metals. We have the largest reserves of some of these resources in Europe.

These are already colossal opportunities.

Plus production and transport capabilities, plus our potential in mechanical engineering, our work culture and access to the world’s leading markets – this is the basis for exactly the economic growth that everyone so desperately needs.

The third is the agricultural sector. The world saw that it is impossible to guarantee global food security without Ukrainian exports.

Our export grain initiative already helps with stabilization. And a decision has just been made to extend it by 120 days. But Ukraine’s proposal is to extend the Black Sea Initiative indefinitely. This is vital for stability.

Plus, we founded the Grain From Ukraine program to provide together with our partners as much food aid to the poorest countries as possible.

But the return of peace to Ukraine will mean that we will be able not only to stabilize the market in response to the crisis, but to guarantee food stability and the prevention of any crises.

And again, I gave only three examples, and there are many more.

Peace in Ukraine is a global need. I emphasize – not a temporary lull, not an illusion of peace, which Russia tempts with to simply prepare a new stage of aggression, but real peace. I know it can be achieved.

But for this we need to preserve global unity – and continue to support our struggle for freedom. It is necessary to preserve global integrity – and increase pressure on Russia for terror. And it is necessary to preserve global rationality – and cooperate with us for the sake of future development already now.

Once again, thank you for your attention!

And let there be reliable peace.

Glory to Ukraine!

The speech made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 16 November 2022.

Thank you very much, Mr. President Widodo.

Dear colleagues!

Yesterday at our summit, everyone talked about how to end the Russian war. The Russian representative even made some comments…

And after that, almost 100 Russian missiles hit Ukraine. Burnt residential buildings. Destroyed power plants again. Hundreds of cities were left without electricity, water and heat. Internet traffic has fallen by two-thirds – imagine the scale.

Unfortunately, there are human casualties. And not only in Ukraine! Russian missiles hit the territory of neighboring Poland yesterday. There should be a quick response.

This missile attack is Russia’s real performance at G20. So when I say G19, I’m not wrong. Because Russia is a terrorist, and we protect ourselves from it. Such is the reality.

And I urge you to look at today’s panel of our Digital Transformation Summit from a security perspective. This will be a timely view.

Dear leaders, you now clearly see what modern war is. Today, it is impossible to imagine life without computer networks, high-speed communication, the Internet, and even more so – without electricity. But your enemies may try to deprive you of just that.

My good advice to you is to take Ukrainian defense experience in order to guarantee the safety of your people.

We have created an IT army that prevails in cyberspace. The best specialists and companies of the country have united to protect the state.

We repelled more than 1,300 cyberattacks during the 8 months of the Russian war. In the first week of the invasion, Russia destroyed a key data center of our country, and the response solution is the “clouds” into which we moved part of the information systems.

We have built the protection of public registers. We have preserved the digital resilience of banks. Thanks to digitization, we can quickly organize social payments to those affected by hostilities.

Millions of Ukrainians use our Diia state service every day. These are more than 100 public services without contact with officials. A digital passport, opening accounts, paying fines and taxes, receiving state aid, raising funds to support the army… All this is Ukrainian “Diia”.

If you or your allies and partners do not already have such a system and such digital protection, we will be happy to help you build them!

Cyber defense is about cooperation. The stability of institutions is cooperation. Reliable communication, including satellite communication, is also about cooperation.

What we all need is to put aside disputes and develop collective efforts for global peace. The G19 can be very successful in this!

Ukraine is willing to help. Our security experience is your security experience.

And please remember that everything must now be considered from the point of view of security.

Thank you Mr. President Widodo for a very meaningful summit! Thank you all for your support!

Let there be peace!

Glory to Ukraine!