PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President of the European Council discussed further steps of the EU in support of Ukraine

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 13 February 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked his interlocutor for his efforts in consolidating Ukraine’s international support.

The leaders discussed the security situation around our country, as well as the steps being taken to de-escalate the situation and achieve peace within the existing negotiation formats, in particular Normandy.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Charles Michel exchanged views and assessments of the latest international events, negotiations and contacts with strategic partners.

The President of Ukraine stressed the importance of uniting and coordinating political and diplomatic efforts in order to unlock the peace process and restore stability.

“We stand for the political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict. We will not give in to provocations,” the President said.

In this regard, he thanked Charles Michel and EU leaders for keeping their diplomats in our country and supporting us with their work.

“We understand all the risks and are ready for any scenario. But we have been in this situation since 2014. And today our biggest enemy is panic,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The President of Ukraine also stated the need to impose preventive sanctions against Russia in order to curb the Kremlin’s aggressive intentions.

Particular attention was paid to increasing Ukraine’s defense and financial stability against the background of current challenges and further practical cooperation with the European Union.

The President thanked the EU for its decision to provide a package of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed the invariability of Ukraine’s European integration course and stressed the need for the European Union to define clear prospects as regards full membership of our country.

For his part, the President of the European Council reaffirmed the EU’s strong and unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, as well as its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.