“This is a key issue for Europe. And it’s not just about ideas. It’s about people first. In how they will live in a world that is constantly changing.”, — write: www.president.gov.ua
Ladies and gentlemen!
I want to talk to you about the future of Europe – which essentially means the future of most people here.
All eyes are now on Washington. But who is really looking at Europe now? This is a key issue for Europe. And it’s not just about ideas. It’s about people first. In how they will live in a world that is constantly changing.
20 hours ago, the inauguration of President Trump took place in Washington. And now everyone is waiting to see what he will do next. His first decrees already showed clear priorities. Most of the world is now thinking: what will happen to their relations with America? What will happen to alliances, to support, to trade? How does President Trump plan to end wars?
But no one asks such questions about Europe. And we have to be honest about it.
When we in Europe look to the United States as our ally, it is obvious that it is an indispensable ally.
In times of war, everyone worries whether the United States will stay with them. Every ally is worried about it. But does the United States worry that Europe may one day abandon them – cease to be their ally? The answer is no.
Washington does not believe that Europe can offer them anything really significant.
I remember the Asian Security Summit last year in Singapore – the Shangri-La Dialogue. There, the representatives of the US delegation openly stated that their main priority in the field of security is the Indo-Pacific region, the Middle East and the Gulf is the second, and Europe is only the third. And that was under the previous administration.
Will President Trump even pay attention to Europe? Does he consider NATO necessary? And will he respect EU institutions?
Ladies and gentlemen!
Europe cannot afford to be second or third in line to its allies. If this happens, the world will move forward without Europe, and it will be a world that will be neither comfortable nor beneficial for all Europeans.
Europe needs to compete for primacy in priorities, alliances and technological development.
We are living through another turning point, which some see as a problem for Europe, while others call it an opportunity. Europe must establish itself as a strong global player. As an indispensable player.
Do not forget: there is no ocean between European countries and Russia. And European leaders should remember this: battles involving North Korean soldiers are now taking place in places geographically closer to Davos than to Pyongyang.
Russia is turning into a version of North Korea, a country where human life is worth nothing, but they have nuclear weapons and a burning desire to make life unbearable for their neighbors.
Despite the fact that the total economic potential of Russia is much smaller than that of Europe, it produces several times more ammunition and military equipment than all of Europe combined. This is exactly the path of wars that Moscow chooses.
Putin signed a new strategic agreement with Iran. He already has a comprehensive treaty with North Korea. Against whom do they enter into such agreements? Against you, against us. Against Europe, against America. We must not forget this. This is not a coincidence. These are their strategic priorities, and our priorities must meet the challenges – in politics, in the field of defense, in the economy.
Such threats can only be faced together. Even when it comes to the size of the army.
Russia can field about 1.3… maybe 1.5 million troops. We have more than 800,000 soldiers. In second place after us is France with over 200,000. Then – Germany, Italy and Great Britain. The rest have less. This is not a situation where one country can defend itself. This is a situation where we all have to stand together to make a difference.
Fortunately, the influence of the Iranian regime is currently waning. This offers hope for Syria and Lebanon. And they, too, should become examples of how life can be restored after war.
Ukraine is already taking steps to support the new Syria. Our ministers visited Damascus, we launched a food aid program for Syria called “Food from Ukraine” and we are engaging our partners to invest in these supplies and build food production facilities. Europe may very well act as a security donor for Syria – it’s time to stop getting headaches from this direction.
And Europe, together with America, must put an end to the Iranian threat.
Further.
Now it is not clear whether Europe will even have a seat at the negotiating table when the war against our country ends. We see how much influence China has on Russia. We are deeply grateful to Europe for all the support it has given our country during this war. But will President Trump listen to Europe, or negotiate with Russia and China without its participation?
Europe must learn to take complete care of itself so that the world cannot afford to ignore it.
It is important to maintain unity in Europe, because the world is not concerned only with Budapest or Brussels – it is concerned with Europe as a whole.
We need a common European security and defense policy, and all European countries must be ready to spend on security as much as is really necessary, and not as much as they have become accustomed to through years of neglect. If defense requires 5% of GDP, then it should be 5%. And you don’t need to play on people’s emotions by saying that defense spending should be offset by medicare or pensions or something else – that’s really unfair.
We have already created models of cooperation for the defense of Ukraine, which can make the whole of Europe stronger. We build drones together, including completely unique ones that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. We produce artillery together, and it is much cheaper and faster in Ukraine than in any other country in the world.
And now investing in Ukrainian drone production means investing not only in the security of Europe, but also in Europe’s ability to be a guarantor of security for other important regions.
And we need to start building air defense systems together – ones that can really deal with all types of cruise and ballistic missiles. Europe needs its own “Iron Dome” capable of resisting any threats.
We cannot rely on the goodwill of a few capitals when it comes to the security of Europe: whether Washington, Berlin, Paris, London, Rome, or – after Putin is gone – some imaginary democrat in Moscow.
And we must ensure that no European country is dependent on a single energy supplier, especially Russia. Circumstances are now on our side – President Trump plans to export pain more energy.
But Europe needs to step up and make more long-term efforts to ensure real energy independence. One cannot continue to buy gas from Moscow and at the same time expect guarantees of security, assistance and support from the Americans. It’s just not right.
For example, the Prime Minister of Slovakia is not trying to get access to American gas, but still hopes to use the American security umbrella.
Europe must have a seat at the table when dealing with war and peace. And I am not only talking about Ukraine now. This should become the standard.
Europe deserves more than just a bystander when its leaders limit themselves to posting in X after the deal is already done. Europe must shape the terms of these agreements.
Further.
We need a whole new, bolder approach to tech companies and technology development. If we lose time, Europe will lose this century.
Europe is currently lagging behind in the development of artificial intelligence.
Already today, TikTok’s algorithms are more powerful than some governments. Already today, the fate of small countries depends more on the owners of technology companies than on their laws. Already today, Europe is not leading in the global technological race, lagging behind both America and China. This is not a small matter, it is about weakness: first technological and economic, and then political.
Europe is often more focused on regulation than freedom, but when sensible regulation is needed, Brussels hesitates. We must ensure maximum technological development in Europe and make all important decisions together – for the whole of Europe.
From weapons production to technology development, Europe must lead the way.
Europe must become the most attractive market in the world, and it is achievable.
And, finally, Europe must be able to guarantee peace and security for everyone – for itself and for others, for those in the world who are important to Europe.
Europe deserves to be strong. And for this, Europe needs the EU and NATO.
Is it possible without Ukraine and without a fair end to Russia’s war against Ukraine? I’m sure not.
Only real security guarantees for us will be real security guarantees for everyone in Europe. And we must ensure that America sees us as necessary as well. For this to happen, America’s attention must shift to Europe. So that one day in Washington they say: “All eyes are on Europe.” And not because of the war. And because of the opportunities available in Europe.
Europe must be able to defend itself.
Hundreds of millions of people visit Europe to see its sights, to get to know its cultural heritage. Millions in the world dream of living the way Europeans live. Will we be able to preserve it and pass it on to our children? If we in Europe can respond positively to this, America will need Europe as much as other global players.
Europe must shape history – for itself and its allies – to stay not just relevant, but alive and great.
Thank you.
Glory to Ukraine!
