Less words, more actions: Poroshenko calls on Europeans to accelerate defense capacity building to stop Putin

Speaking at an international security conference in Visby, Sweden, Petro Poroshenko called on European allies to accelerate their military buildup and stop Putin in Ukraine. He stated that the brazen appearance of Russian drones in the airspace of EU and NATO member states is changing Europeans’ attitudes toward the war in Ukraine.

This was reported by the press service of “European Solidarity” .

“Russia has become more aggressive, Russia is using new technologies. If it started, as everyone in Europe called it, as the ‘conflict in Ukraine,’ then it was the ‘war in Ukraine,’ then ‘Russian aggression against Ukraine,’ and now it is ‘Russian aggression against Europe.’ Europe no longer has any illusions. And when Russian drones appeared in the airspace of the Baltic countries, in Poland, it helped open the eyes of all European nations,” Poroshenko believes.

He emphasized that time is on Putin’s side, not on Ukraine or Europe.

“Why does Putin think he can win? Because he is waiting for Ukraine to run out of soldiers. Why do we, Ukraine, together with our European partners, think we will win? Because we are sure that Russia will run out of money. What do I expect from Europe? Europe needs to wake up,” Poroshenko says.

He added that there are currently two blocks of guarantees that Ukraine needs.

“Security guarantees are weapons, defense industry, joint production with Ukraine using Ukrainian experience, Ukrainian technologies. We cannot afford to lose the battle for technologies to either Russia or China. We must be leaders. We can outsmart Russia without being able to outnumber it,” the fifth President believes.

Poroshenko also noted that the world should be much more decisive regarding sanctions.

“It is in the Baltic Sea that we must stop the Russian “shadow fleet”. In the world, we can stop all Russian exports, and our goal is to stop Putin’s ability to finance the war,” Poroshenko notes.

The fifth president highlighted three urgent lessons for Europe.

“Preparation must be real, not on paper. Economic stability is security. Europe’s economy must be put on military rails. Social stability and political stability are crucial. Particular attention should be paid to Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands. In the event of an escalation in Central and Eastern Europe, you will become the first destination for refugee flows. In the maritime sphere, Europe must also anticipate Russia’s attempts to destabilize the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas. Here are Ukrainian technologies, naval drones, and we are ready to share them with all our partners,” Poroshenko says.

He also noted that drones need to be produced.

“We must create capacities for the immediate production of the most modern drones and produce them now for Ukraine. And in the future, produce them for the joint European armed forces. What else do we need to do? Long-range missiles. Russia should not have any illusions that if it breaks the line with the so-called “drone walls”, it will immediately receive a response with long-range missiles that will destroy the Russian energy, oil refining infrastructure and everything without which Russia cannot survive,” – believes Petro Poroshenko.

“I am absolutely sure that Europe is able to defend itself together with Ukraine, regardless of who is in Washington and who is in Moscow. We are able to defend ourselves. And one more recommendation. Regarding the so-called “reconstruction loan”, or “restoration”, or “reparation loan”. If this continues, we will have nothing to repair or restore. This should be a loan for the defense of Europe. And we should not waste time using Russian frozen assets. We should do it immediately, tomorrow,” Poroshenko noted.

At the same time, he noted that the Kremlin’s most dangerous blow today is not military, but political.

“The goal is to split Europe, weaken the EU, weaken NATO, and bring populists and isolationists to power. Divide us and we lose. This is where European and transatlantic unity is vital. We do not have the luxury of time. Less words and summits, more action. Putin must be stopped in Ukraine,” the fifth President summed up.

By the way, Petro Poroshenko held a number of meetings with Swedish government officials and MPs in Stockholm . On his way to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, he visited Stockholm at the invitation of representatives of our sister party in Sweden. During the meeting with the Political Director of the Swedish Foreign Ministry, Thorbjorn Solström, the fifth President thanked Sweden for its leadership role in supporting Ukraine in strengthening the Armed Forces of Ukraine, increasing the defense capabilities of our state and ensuring macro-financial stability, as well as for assistance on the path to membership in the EU and NATO.

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