Started the day at the International Democracy Union Summit with a friendly meeting with Andrej Plenković. Welcomed the unblocking by the EU Council of the allocation of a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine for 2026–2027 and the 20th package of sanctions against the aggressor. This will help strengthen the Armed Forces and economic resilience.
Discussed the results of the informal EU Summit in Cyprus, particularly in the context of discussions around further steps towards Ukraine’s EU membership. Emphasized the importance of quickly opening the first negotiation cluster “Basics” — on democracy, rule of law, justice, and anti-corruption. The rule of law and absence of politically motivated prosecutions are indeed the guarantees for starting negotiations with Ukraine regarding EU membership.
Paid a lot of attention to the situation on the battlefield, the needs of the Ukrainian military, and the importance of continued allied support. Also discussed the prospects of the negotiation process and a ceasefire as the first step to confirm Russia’s readiness for a real, not fake, dialogue.
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The International Democracy Union Forum welcomed us with extraordinary hospitality.
It was pleasant to start work with a meeting with Andrej Plenković, where we discussed how to strengthen the Armed Forces and enhance Ukraine’s economic resilience.
A lot of work and numerous important meetings lie ahead.
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There is a possibility to quickly end the war. But several preconditions are needed for this. This was stated during a speech at the International Democracy Union forum in Zagreb.
The first precondition is transatlantic unity. Unity with the United States and unity within NATO. Its absence would be a gift to Russia.
Ukraine did not give Russia the chance to think they could win the war and capture Kyiv in three days. Kyiv is fighting, Ukraine has been fighting for 1527 days of a full-scale war. Our team is an active participant in the struggle: 2590 party members serve in the Armed Forces and fight for Ukraine. Unfortunately, 117 party members have given their lives for Ukraine’s future, for Europe’s future. 27 are missing.
The second is unity within the European Union. The third is democratic resilience within Ukraine. We need a coalition of national unity. We need democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law, an independent judiciary, and protected anti-corruption institutions that we have created.
We need unity: transatlantic, European, and internal. It will be a bad signal for Putin.
When this happens, Putin must receive a demand. It is not about 20 or 28 points of a peace agreement, but about a comprehensive, unconditional, and immediate ceasefire.
It is a completely wrong approach to consider that supporting Ukraine is charity from the EU. Supporting the Ukrainian defense industry and the Armed Forces is an investment in European security.
Right now, no one has security because we live in a different world. Analyze the example of the UAE, where investments were growing, but everything was destroyed in one day. And the next day, Ukrainian representatives appeared with assistance at the ports of Dubai, Riyadh, and Fujairah. This is proof that only together are we stronger.
Is NATO ready for this type of war? No. Does NATO have the weapons to fight against Russia during this war? No. Therefore, I urge: let’s stay together, invest together, defend together, and win. We must win this war against Russia. We are stronger, we are bigger.
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Europe needs to take off its rose-colored glasses as soon as possible. The post-war security system based on the UN Security Council no longer works. We need to create a new independent system in which we will be confident. The sooner the Armed Forces of Ukraine become part of it, the better.
And the sooner Ukraine becomes part of the European security system, the better. The sooner our state becomes a member of the European Union, the better.
However, the admission process must be merit-based, not just a formality. Ukraine should be a democratic, civilized, and efficient member of the European Union, so that no one thinks we are given a gift.
The European security system is not only about defense industry and money. It’s about unity, solidarity, and strength. Russia will remain a danger to Europe for decades. We need to learn to speak to Putin in his language now, and he only understands the language of force. This language that Europe must master will certainly help us end the war sooner.
The proposal for a ceasefire should be submitted together with “Plan B”. If Putin does not accept our proposal for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire now, then tomorrow “Plan B” will come into effect. And this means: long-range missiles — from Tomahawk to Taurus for Ukraine. The most modern electronic warfare systems, the most advanced air defense. And hellish sanctions.
I find it hard to imagine the consequences of resuming the supply of Russian oil to the EU through the Druzhba pipeline at a volume of 330,000 barrels per day. That’s 23 million dollars every day that Europe pays Russia for the murder of Ukraine. No, this is not about an energy crisis. It’s about money to support a dictator to kill Ukraine… And the role that Croatia can play now, replacing the oil supply to Hungary, is exactly what I aspire to.
We will only be strong as long as we remain united.
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A warm and friendly conversation with International Democracy Union Chairman Stephen Harper.
I sincerely appreciate that we always speak the same language — the language of common interests for the sake of peace, security, and stability. It seems that none of the current topics of the modern agenda were left untouched by our attention. And the answer to most, if not all of them, goes through Ukraine. Through support of our struggle. Through a decisive and joint response to Russian aggression. Of course, we also talked about the importance of internal resilience, primarily the strengthening of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Ukraine.
Neither war nor martial law can be an excuse for retreating from democratic development.
Grateful for the thoughtful exchange of thoughts and for your many years of support, Stephen!
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We need one demand for Putin: comprehensive, unconditional, and immediate ceasefire. To end the war, we need unity between the US and within NATO, unity within the European Union, and democratic resilience within Ukraine.
With this message, I arrived in Zagreb at the invitation of Stephen Harper and the International Democracy Union. I took the stage at the IDU Forum to present to European leaders my experience and vision of further steps towards a European security system and strengthening Ukraine’s position.
Europe must act decisively and quickly. Support or investment in the defense industry, investment in the Armed Forces of Ukraine — these should not be questioned. Because Ukraine, the Armed Forces are needed by Europe as a key security factor. And this process of integration into the European security system must occur parallel to our country’s accession to the EU.
In meetings with European leaders, including Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Chairman of the International Democrat Union Stephen Harper, I discussed the needs of the Armed Forces, the necessity of sustainable allied support, and the situation on the battlefield. It is important that we spoke one language — the language of shared interests for the sake of peace, security, and stability.
We must win this war against Russia. We have every chance if we remain strong and united.
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There should be one demand for Putin: comprehensive, unconditional, and immediate ceasefire. Not 20 or 28 points of peace plans, but this demand alone. And it should be accompanied by the “Plan B”: if the dictator refuses, we receive long-range Tomahawk and Taurus missiles, the most advanced air defense and electronic warfare systems, and hellish sanctions against Russia. Putin understands only the language of force, and Europe must master it.
To make this demand effective, three prerequisites are needed: transatlantic unity with the USA and within NATO, unity within the EU, and democratic resilience within Ukraine. Neither war nor martial law can justify any retreat from democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. We need a coalition of national unity and protected anti-corruption institutions that we have created ourselves.
Supporting Ukraine is not charity. It is an investment in European security. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are needed by Europe as a key factor of stability, and Ukraine’s integration into the European security system must go hand in hand with EU accession — based on merit, not as a gift.
Thank you Stephen Harper for the warm conversation and years of support, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković for the substantive dialogue, and the entire IDU team for their hospitality.
1528 days of full-scale war. We are fighting. And we will win if we remain strong and united.
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International law no longer works because one of the guarantor countries is an aggressor.
We discussed this during a panel at the International Democracy Union Forum.
On February 20, 2014, when Russia, being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, attacked Ukraine, the post-war security system was destroyed. It no longer works.
Now Europeans must realize reality. If they want to be confident in the security system of the continent, they need to act. I hate the thought that European security depends on the names of certain politicians. The system must work independently.
And, undoubtedly, the European security system would be stronger if the Ukrainian Armed Forces were part of it. Our participation in the security system should not depend on our future membership in the European Union. These processes should continue in parallel. The sooner Ukraine becomes part of the European system, the better.
The European security system is not about money. Not only about the defense sector. It is about unity, solidarity, and strength. We will remain strong only as long as we are united.
