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ADDRESS BY H.E. IHOR PROKOPCHUK,

AMBASSADOR OF UKRAINE,

AT THE OPENING SESSION OF “BUCHAREST LEADERS’ SUMMIT: THE HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS”

(06.11.2023)

Excellencies,

Distinguished participants of the Summit,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure and honour to participate in the official opening of a very important event – Bucharest Leaders’ Summit.

I sincerely thank the organisers for the invitation to speak among this select group of distinguished personalities from Romania, other countries and international organisations. I believe that this platform will provide the necessary high quality expertise and leadership vision on how to tackle the current complex challenges and transform them into opportunities for secure and stable future. Fulfilment of many inspiring ideas and innovative solutions to be discussed at this Summit has a fundamental requirement – peace, security, political and social stability.

In this context I stress that among the current challenges the gravest one is the ongoing brutal war waged by Russia against Ukraine. It is only from 500 kilometres away from where we are now meeting in Bucharest. Fierce battles with all types of weapons, air alerts and bombardments take place every day and every night. The attacks carried out by the Russian terrorists on Ukrainian civilian and port infrastructure in the Danube river have also effected the Romanian bank of the river. Last night, just few hours ago, a massive missile and drones attack targeted the Black sea city of Odesa, leaving 8 persons wounded.

russia's full-scale and brutal invasion of Ukraine which now lasts 621 days has brought and continues to bring enormous human suffering, losses and destruction. 

For Ukraine russia’s invasion poses an existential threat. It is absolutely clear to the Ukrainian people who have displayed exemplary courage, resilience and perseverance in defence of independence and sovereignty, of the right to live freely on their own land. Ukraine’s resilience has also been made possible by a strong and unwavering support of our international partners. This must stay to defeat the aggressor.

We are very thankful to Romania and the Romanian people. This message was articulated vocally by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy when he visited Romania last month. I would like to express my profound gratitude to all, who have supported and continue to support Ukraine showing firm solidarity, empathy and a sense of common purpose. We highly value the assurances, on high political level and among public and business circles, that Romania will stay with Ukraine as long as is necessary until the full victory.

Ukraine and Ukrainians appreciate your help and support. We are grateful for the humanitarian aid provided since the first days of the war in 2022 as well as shelter for temporarily displaced citizens of Ukraine, mostly children and women.

What we need and value the most is all practical assistance that strengthens our military and defence capabilities and helps defeat the enemy on the battlefield. Romania has made an important contribution. The upcoming establishment of the F16 Pilots Training Centre in Romania and planned training of Ukrainian pilots will become another solid proof of essential support.

We can all be proud of the fact that Ukraine and Romania have formed an effective team in ensuring a stable transit of Ukrainian agriculture products though the Romanian territory. It is our joint commitment and practical input towards fostering global food security.

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is by no means an exaggeration to state that Ukraine fights not only for its own freedom, it is fighting and defending peace, freedom and democracy of entire Europe. It is fighting for maintaining the world security order based on agreed rules enshrined, in particular, in the UN Charter.

Putin will not stop in Ukraine if it is allowed to succeed in fulfilling his ambitions of territorial expansion and domination. This war must end in defeating the aggressor, not appeasing it and striking a temporary compromise. Russia benefits from transition into a state of positional war because this will give it time to restore its offensive reserves. They would regroup, rearm and renew the armed aggression.

Responding to Putin's aggression is costly, requires constant spending, which burdens the taxpayers. It is a fact. And it is also a fact that Russia’s war is most burdensome for Ukrainians because, in addition to financial losses, we lose the dearest - our people. At the same time we know that other scenarios are not viable as they will encourage the Kremlin to scale up its expansion.

For government and public leaders it is necessary to be clear-eyed about our collective aim in this war and work fast and effectively towards achieving it. For Ukraine the priorities include:

First and foremost, a radical increase in the capabilities of the Defence Forces of Ukraine. It is necessary to procure the necessary weapons, including air defence systems and fighter jets, heavy weaponry and ammunition. As soon as possible. Currently, it is very important to maximize the reinforcement of Ukraine's sky shield in the run-up to winter period. The air defense systems our country received, such as Patriot, IRIS-T, NASAMS and others, are already playing a crucial role and saving lives.

Second, further stepping up sanctions pressure on russia. Notably, restrictive measures are needed against russian nuclear industry – both for what russia is doing at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and as a security measure against the use of dubious russian nuclear technologies. It is necessary to continue sanctions pressure on other sectors of the terrorist state's economy. It is also important to expand sanctions against both Iran and North Korea in all sensitive industries.

Third, facilitation of Ukraine’s progress to achieving full-fledged membership in the EU and NATO. Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine has made an unprecedented steps in reforms and implementing all recommendations provided by the European Commission. We very much look forward to beginning of the accession talks by the end of 2023. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are successfully fighting the army of russian federation, which is defined as – and I quote the NATO 2022 Strategic Concept – “the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area”. We expect that the long-awaited decision with regard to Ukraine’s membership will be adopted at the upcoming Washington NATO Summit in 2024.

Distinguished participants,

In conclusion, I would like to underline, that Ukraine's victory will be the victory for this region of the Black Sea, for Europe and all democratic nations.

We count on Romania and its people, we count on fostering our mutual confidence and co-operation in all fields of interest thus realising the vision of strategic partnership between Ukraine and Romania as proclaimed by the Presidents of our two nations last month.

We need to further strengthen unity of all democratic counries as a prerequisite for success in the present complex and extremely challenging environment.

I wish all participants of the Summit productive debates on the paths to success for this country and beyond.

Thank you for attention.