REMARKS 

by Ambassador of Ukraine to Romania H.E. Ihor PROKOPCHUK 

at the “Future Leaders” Conference

Excellencies,

Dear officers of Romania’s Land Forces, participants of the Conference,

 

It is my great pleasure and privilege to be invited to this final conference of the “Future Leaders” program and to make remarks as the Guest of Honor. I am grateful for this opportunity.

I have no doubt that you will have a very enriching and stimulating day today having a distinguished and select group of speakers.

When I received the invitation from Minister of National Defence of Romania Angel Tîlvar to contribute to today’s discussions, I noted reference to my over thirty years of experience in the diplomatic field. This is correct but, first and foremost, I use this platform to address you as the diplomat who is proud and honoured to represent Ukraine in Romania – the country and nation heroically fighting to defend its statehood and sovereignty, to defend the values of democracy and freedom.  

Dear friends,

Being here, in peaceful Bucharest, just 500 kilometres away of Ukraine’s border – be it Odessa region or Chernivtsi region – means to be just 500 kilometres away of a large-scale brutal war – the biggest in Europe since World War Two. The unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression, launched by Russia against a peaceful and sovereign European state, and causing enormous devastations, sufferings, losses, and human tragedies.

Russia’s original aims of the war have not changed – they aim to eradicate by force Ukrainian statehood and national identity, making it a genocidal war. They planned to accomplish these goals within few days or weeks and they failed. Today marks 945^th day of russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

The existential threat posed by russia’s illegal occupation of Crimean peninsula in 2014 and 8 years later with the full-scale armed invasion has made the Ukrainian nation the symbol of unbending will, courageous struggle, strong resilience in the face of militarily potent aggressor state.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is essential to be fully cognizant of Russia’s neoimperial ambitions and drive for territorial acquisitions and domination. Russia’s invasion into Ukraine has already led to global repercussions sending shockwaves in energy markets and jeopardizing food security far away from the battlefields.

History and the record of this war prove that russia only understands the language from the position of strength. Europe is at an inflection point that will define the course of this century: either the Western democracies are able to defend their values and way of life or Putin will see that his calculation was correct and will continue to test the limits for application of brutal military force.

There must be no mistake: if the aggressor is not stopped and pushed back in Ukraine, it will aim to advance further. There will be immediate direct military risks to the Republic of Moldova and to countries of NATO eastern flank, among them Romania.

Many of you saw the horrible images of territories, cities and localities in Eastern Ukraine – Avdyivka, Debaltseve, Bakhmut and others – which have suffered “total destruction” by russian army. Unfortunately, this can be a fate of any other settlement in Ukraine or in any European country if russians are not pushed back and will succeed to move through Ukraine.

Dear officers, 

The kremlin regime continues its unabaiting massive terror against Ukrainians. Almost every day, russia carries out large-scale missile and drone attacks on the regions and cities across Ukraine. Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Lviv, Chernigiv, Dnipro, Poltava are constantly pounded from the air by russian ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, attack drones and guided aerial bombs of 250, 500, 1500 kilos and lately produced 3000 kilos – everything that the russian state terrorists have at their disposal.

The regions and cities of Ukraine need more support, they need more protection.

The immediate tasks for Ukraine’s capabilities include:

• Procurement to Ukraine as soon as possible of more necessary weapons, including heavy weaponry, and – the most needed – air defence systems, long-range capability and relevant ammunition. Any artificial restrictions on the use of long-range capabilities must be lifted! Ukraine must be able to reach into the russian territory to eliminate capabilities which are used daily to kill civilians and destroy critical infrastructure on the Ukrainian territory;
• Stepping up sanctions pressure on russia, including through restrictive measures on russian nuclear industry and on other sectors of the terrorist state's economy. Every effort must be made to close loopholes for circumvention of the sanctions regime;
• Speeding up Ukraine’s progress towards achievement of full-fledged membership in the EU and NATO. Ukraine must be fully embraced by the Western institutions, thus drawing a line for russia’s contentions.

And here I would like to express gratitude to our Romanian friends for donating “Patriot” system to Ukraine. This powerful step of support will significantly bolster our air defence capabilities and in simple words: it will save lives!

I would like to extend words of appreciation to our American partners for being the committed leader of international coalition of support to Ukraine from the very first day of russia’s full-scale invasion.

Speaking about support to Ukraine I would like to emphasise one important point: providing support and military aid to Ukraine is an investment in one’s own national security. Ukraine’s victory will be decisive for free and safe future not only for Ukraine, but the entire democratic Europe and other parts of the world where autocratic leaders are closely watching the strength and unity of democracies, their ability to protect their values.

Dear friends,

Let me also reflect briefly on the international security architecture. The international security mechanisms proved to be ineffective in stopping the aggression of the permanent member of the UN Security Council but this should not become the new "normality" for international relations.

The sovereignty of each state, its territorial integrity, inviolability of froniers and all elements of security – including ecological, radiation and food security – must be guaranteed.

Ukraine, suffering immensely on its own land from this war, wants peace like no one else. President Zelenskyy has offered a Peace Formula – ten clear steps that can restore the effectiveness of international law, primarily the UN Charter, and actually re-establish security for Ukraine and the world as a whole. It can become a benchmark for an updated security architecture.

All responsible countries have a stake in it. There are no state borders or natural barriers that can stop the spread of radiation. There is no nation that would simply put up with the captivity or deportation of its people by a hostile state. There is no nation that would accept that someone is turning its cities into rubble.

I say this to affirm that the Peace Formula has a universal character and would work for everyone. I am glad that such approach is fully shared by Romania, the US and other partners and allies of Ukraine.

In mid June 2024, Switzerland hosted the first Global Peace Summit. It gathered almost 100 high representatives from different countries of the World. The Summit concluded with a Joint Communique on a Peace Framework. All participants reaffirmed commitment to refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognized borders, including territorial waters.

Currently, we are working on preparation to the second Global Peace Summit. Ukraine is actively moving on each track under the Peace Formula, organizing thematic conferences to prepare the clear algorithm for implementation of respective points of the Peace Formula.

The full implementation of Peace Formula – is a key to ensure not only the victory over aggressor, but the just and lasting peace.

Distinguished participants,

In conclusion, I would like to underline, that Ukraine's victory will be the victory of an independent Europe.

Europe that is an independent global player must have two things. First, leaders who are able to make timely and bold, if necessary, decisions. Indecisiveness is judged by aggressors as a weakness they can or must exploit. Second, an independent Europe must have a strong base which will be significantly reinforced by Ukraine becoming a full-fledged member of the EU and NATO.

And, obviously, we need to further demonstrate our unity, as it is so important for achieving a desirable result.

I wish all participants of this conference productive exchange of views as we are aiming at living in the world which is governed by the force of rule and not the rule of force.

Thank you for attention.