Everyone must ensure that Russia, the sole source of this war, accepts the need to end it. This can be proved by two forms of silence: no attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure – a truce for missiles, bombs, long-range drones; no military operations in the Black Sea.

The next step is basic trust in the circumstances in which the negotiations are taking place. Ukrainians, all Europeans, Americans, every human heart in the world that does not agree with the war – we all need to feel that the Russians are not deceiving us. The release of prisoners could serve as a means of establishing basic trust.

This should be based on the understanding that any truce or trust-building measures can only serve as a prologue to a full and fair settlement, to a comprehensive agreement on security guarantees and the end of the war.

Ukrainians truly want peace, but not at the cost of giving up Ukraine. The real question for any negotiations is whether Russia is capable of giving up the war. Be sure that Ukraine will share all the details of peace plans and the talks process with all of Europe. Every European nation that helps must be on board on the path to peace.

I urge you to continue supporting the position that any issues related to Ukraine’s security should be resolved with Ukraine’s participation, just as any issues related to the security of your nations or Europe as a whole should be resolved with your participation.

Only this can guarantee peace on the continent and respect for the interests of all European states. That is why we are trying to ensure that European interests are represented. Anything that affects the security of Europe should be resolved with the participation of Europe.

Every day and every night, we must protect lives. Russian ballistic missiles continue to strike our cities. Shelling at the front continues, and Russian sabotage groups are still trying to enter our territory across the border in Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

Moscow is not reducing its investment in death, increasing its army, and making no pauses in trying to overcome sanctions. Russia now has 220 brigades with war experience, and in five years, they will bring this number to 300. We must respond to this by taking care of lives now, tomorrow, and in the future.

I welcome the European Commission’s efforts to rearm Europe. The ReArm Europe Plan is the right initiative. The defense funds under this European Plan should strengthen all parts of Europe, and I call for a significant part to be allocated to arms production in Ukraine – our industrial capabilities are the fastest and most relevant to the current security threats.

I welcome the efforts of my European colleagues to increase national defense spending and modernize national armies. Everyone in Europe needs this. When we agree on the format of the Armed Forces of Europe, this format will rely on the strength of national armies and on the experience of deploying partner contingents in Ukraine, which is what we are working on now.

I welcome the investments of all partners in the defense industry, both in Ukraine and in your countries. The industrial base of Europe must grow. Europe should become the place where the most technologically advanced and effective weapons in the world are produced. This is not a fantasy if Europeans really set themselves this goal.

I’m grateful for the 16th EU sanctions package, and we must continue applying this pressure. We need a 17th sanctions package. These sanctions must remain in place until Russia stops the occupation. I am aware that a special European financial instrument for Ukraine’s resilience is being developed—I urge you to expedite this process.

In these circumstances, it is needed to speed up the work of our teams in the negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the EU. Currently, the work on the clusters is blocked without any rational reason. We need common sense, we need to unblock the work on clusters, and this can be done at the leadership level.

I am grateful for all the support, and Ukrainians really appreciate that in a time of such great emotions in global politics, European integrity is preserved and Europe is truly trying to do the right thing. Meanwhile, Ukrainian and American teams have resumed work, and we hope that next week we will have a meaningful meeting.

Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first moment of the war, and we have always stated that the war continues solely because of Russia. Ukraine is not only ready to take the necessary steps for peace, but we are also proposing those steps. I ask for the support of Ukraine and the European leaders who are helping to pave the way for peace. This is what I addressed to the European Council.