Kyiv is without electricity, part of the city is also without water. Previously, the enemy attacked with ballistics to destroy power plants and continues to do so now. But now reactive drones find every transformer substation, every small generator and destroy normal life.
This is how he began his speech at the Security Conference in Sweden.
Russians are hitting the rear because they cannot achieve any significant results on the battlefield. Putin promised to completely capture Donbas almost a year ago. Ukrainian troops stop these attempts and give an effective response.
Do you know how many civilians, according to official data, have been killed or wounded in just the first nine days of October? Yesterday, I had the number: 454. Civilians. Innocent. And this figure is no longer accurate. This morning, Russia struck residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia with guided aerial bombs. At least 15 dead. Among them, three children.
This is a catastrophe. This is genocide. And Putin is doing this to all of Europe.
So what should we and the world do in this situation?
First. The war must be stopped. But stop thinking about a peace agreement. With Putin, it is impossible. I know this after five long years of negotiations with him. A peace agreement for Putin is just a way not to stop the war.
For Putin, there must be a single message: immediate, unconditional, comprehensive ceasefire.
Second. Russia buys weapons three to four times cheaper than we Europeans do. Even now, the military budget of Ukraine is three times smaller than that of Russia. And what Ukraine is doing is a miracle. We are winning thanks to a unique combination: the resilience of the Ukrainian people, our Armed Forces, and the support of our allies.
Third. Supporting Ukraine is not charity. It’s an investment in your security. Today, Russia is testing Ukraine. Tomorrow it will certainly threaten Europe.
Fourth. Preserve Ukrainian business. We urgently need a mechanism for insuring military risks for the Ukrainian economy—using frozen Russian assets. This step is absolutely necessary, and it must be taken immediately. To counter Russia’s attack on logistics, we need a logistics hub at Ukraine’s border with EU countries: with Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and now Hungary. This solves not only Ukraine and the EU’s problem but also the hunger problem in the Middle East and North Africa.
Fifth. Financing Ukraine is simultaneously defunding Russia. Weakening it. I was undoubtedly disappointed by yesterday’s US statement on Russian diesel. The world consumes about 4 million tons daily. And we’re talking about 300,000 tons per month — that’s a quarter of a percent of the monthly global consumption. Their agreement on the global diesel price has no impact. However, it is a symbolic message from those who wish to destroy our unity.
On the front line, Russia is weakening. We must find effective solutions for the rear. We must maintain unity regarding our future EU membership and reforms based on merit. And we truly expect the preservation of Ukrainian democracy — with freedom of the press and freedom of opposition.
Therefore, I will say very clearly: financing Ukraine is the cheapest form of long-term security for Europe.
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For many years, we have been communicating with Carl Bildt, one of the legendary Swedish politicians and diplomats who has always supported Ukraine and its democratic Euro-Atlantic choice.
Today in Visby, we talked about strengthening our country and Europe to counter Russian aggression, about the importance and risks for transatlantic unity, about Ukraine’s path to EU and NATO membership. There are many challenges and they can only be overcome through joint and well-coordinated actions.
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The bodies of 20 Ukrainians, killed by Russia, have been recovered from the rubble in Zaporizhia. Right now, during the Security Conference in Sweden.
This causes me immense pain. What brings great disappointment is that some Europeans still believe that the funds supporting Ukraine are being wasted. Unfortunately, it shows that Putin is winning the information battle.
If Europe does not invest in its own defense against Russian influence, Putin will attempt to seize it through elections, interfere in democratic processes, and undermine democracy from within.
Europeans have the right to know the truth: how Russia systematically destroys Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and how vulnerable Europe itself can be to similar threats—up to the paralysis of critical infrastructure within 12 hours.
At the same time, Ukraine does not stop attacking Russian oil refineries. We are depriving Russia of the opportunity to earn from oil, finance its army, and supply it with fuel. Russian refineries are legitimate targets for Ukrainian missiles. The Armed Forces of Ukraine do everything to ensure that Russia cannot freely supply oil to the global market.
And the Armed Forces will not stop.
Meanwhile, Europe must become a full-fledged player on the global security stage, learn to act effectively, build its own security infrastructure, and create a new security architecture. And this cannot be done without Ukraine.
Only through joint efforts can we achieve results and guarantee security for Europe and Ukraine.
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A lot of attention was paid to the situation at the front, energy, and Ukraine’s needs ahead of a tough winter. I am glad that we are on the same page regarding a full, comprehensive, and unconditional ceasefire as the first step towards genuine diplomacy. Any unilateral concessions to the aggressor weaken the positions of Ukraine, its allies, and all who oppose Russian aggression.
Exchanged thoughts on the situation in the United States ahead of the midterm elections to Congress.
Thank you, Kurt, for the meaningful conversation and unwavering support for Ukraine!
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In a conversation with Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonsson, we discussed the key needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces in a new phase of the war and the possible role of Sweden in strengthening our military potential.
Special emphasis was placed on strengthening Ukrainian air defense, air force, and electronic warfare means, including through joint production and investment in Ukrainian military enterprises.
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At the Security Conference in Sweden, we discussed whether there is an effective alternative to NATO. Undoubtedly, such formats exist at both regional and global levels. Particularly effective is the Nordic-Baltic Eight cooperation with Ukraine.
I am convinced that we must use all opportunities to ensure sustainable security in the world, but NATO should remain a key priority.
What is needed for the North Atlantic Alliance to remain strong?
Firstly, we must remain optimistic. We cannot allow Russia to destroy our transatlantic optimism. We trust NATO not because they are big, but because we trust them, they are big.
I believe that today Ukraine is the main transatlantic hope on the continent and in the world.
Secondly, the issue of Ukraine’s NATO membership should not disappear from the agenda.
Thirdly, NATO faces challenges not only from the outside but also from within — due to populism. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty can be effective against external aggression, but it will not protect the Alliance from political division.
Fourthly, Ukraine is already acting as a kind of Article 5. We are doing the hardest work, daily resisting Russian aggression and protecting European neighbors.
Fifthly, personally, I am not worried about Ukraine joining NATO, because I have no doubt about our future membership. And to the pessimists, I would like to ask: what more does Ukraine need to do after so many sacrifices to earn the honor of becoming a NATO member?
And most importantly: our partners need to learn from the Ukrainian experience. Then the future of the continent will be safer.
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Had a frank conversation with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.
Welcomed the announcement of the European Commission’s proposals regarding the EU’s preparation for further expansion and thanked Marta Kos for her personal contribution to ensuring the swift opening of the next clusters within the framework of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations. Discussed our country’s fulfillment of commitments in the areas of democracy, rule of law, anti-corruption, and multi-party pluralism.
Emphasized that adherence to democratic values cannot be selective or depend on political circumstances. Assured that “European Solidarity” is focused on systematic and constructive work on adopting the legislation necessary to accelerate Ukraine’s move towards EU membership, based on principles of shared responsibility and inclusivity.
Agreed to continue our fruitful dialogue. Thank the Commissioner for her understanding and support.
