Dmytro Kuleba: Ukraine and the world need a victory, not a draw

Instead of proposing premature peace talks with russia, which does not seek a peace process, the partners’ goal should be Ukraine’s victory, which will bring sustainable and just peace to the European continent.

This was stated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba in a video address to the participants of the Paneuropean Union’s Anniversary Congress, which is taking place on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the organization in Vienna.

“We need a victory, not a draw. If we allow russia to get a pause now, putin will create a giant ticking bomb of a frozen conflict in the middle of Europe ready to explode at any moment. This would be a strategic mistake for Europe to seek such an outcome. I call on all of Ukraine’s partners: do not propose that we make compromises with our consciousness, territorial integrity, or sovereignty. For these would also be your compromises with your own security,” he said.

According to Dmytro Kuleba, no country in the world strives for peace as much as Ukraine, but “wars like this must end with the victory of good over evil”. He called on the partners to work together to achieve the goal of Ukraine’s victory.

The Minister reminded that russia is not only waging a genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine, but also uses food and energy as a weapon against people around the world, trying to destabilize Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia. russia also resorts to nuclear threats, trying to intimidate the West and sow doubts whether the support of Ukraine should continue.

“We should not give in to fear and blackmail. Each time we, Europeans, have stayed firm, principled, united, and strong, putin always backed down. On the contrary, any sign of weakness is an invitation to russia for further terror and atrocities. This is the reason why the support for Ukraine must be sustained and strengthened, and no steps back in the sanctions regime on russia are acceptable,” the Minister stressed.

Dmytro Kuleba noted that now is the time for partners to embrace the goal of Ukraine’s victory and work toward it rather than look for premature peace deals with russia, because moscow has not changed its tone of ultimatums and uses statements about its alleged readiness for negotiations only as a cover for continued aggression.

“What will bring real peace is the Ukrainian victory. This goal is fully achievable, and we have proved it with successful Kharkiv and Kherson counteroffensives this autumn. Ukraine’s victory will also be the victory of Europe and the West. It will restore peace and security in our continent for decades to come. Furthermore, it will ensure a long period of international stability, because it will prove that aggression is not an effective tool to achieve goals in the 21st century. This is the outcome we should all be seeking and the way to a real, lasting, and just peace,” Dmytro Kuleba stressed.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the partners who support Ukraine at this important time. He expressed special gratitude to Austria, which, despite its neutral status, provides significant political, humanitarian and financial support to our country.

“We need the support of our international partners to continue. This includes defense assistance, further isolation of russia, financial support, and urgent assistance in recovering our energy system damaged by russian strikes. I once again emphasize that supporting Ukraine is not charity. By helping Ukraine, European partners are also helping themselves. They invest in long-term security and stability in Europe,” the Minister concluded.