Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who is visiting Kyiv. This was reported by the press service of the president.
The head of state thanked the people and government of Croatia for supporting Ukraine during a difficult time of war and called the visit “symbolic”.
“Croatia is a principled member of our anti-war coalition. Together we defend the right of not only our citizens, not only citizens of Ukraine, but every European people to independent and democratic life. Together we defend the future of a united Europe and do everything we can to restore the power of international law,” stressed Zelenskyy, speaking to the media after talks with Andrej Plenković in Kyiv.
According to the President, the key topics of the meeting were security and the steps necessary to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom - in particular, “steps in the military, economic and energy spheres, as well as cooperation at the level of the European Union”.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, among other things, the discussion focused on increasing the sanctions pressure on russia. He thanked Croatia for its readiness to support the sixth EU sanctions package.
“Until russia stops this war against our state, against our people, until russia leaves our land and respects freedom in Europe, we must raise the price for this aggression,” the President said.
They also discussed cooperation on the issue of restoring full life in the de-occupied areas of our country.
“Croatia has considerable experience in demining territories, and I have asked for the necessary assistance to our country, especially in our program for the reconstruction of Ukraine,” the head of state stated and noted that the russian military during their retreat had left thousands of mines and trip wires on Ukrainian land, which posed a threat to civilians.
Moreover, at the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Andrej Plenković discussed Ukraine's integration into the EU.
“I am grateful to Croatia and personally to Prime Minister Plenkovic for his consistent and strong support of Ukraine on its path to the European Union. Last December we signed with Mr. Prime Minister a Declaration on the European perspective of our state. Once again I want to thank you for that,” the President said.
He expressed the hope that at the meeting of the European Council in June this year, the member countries of the European Union will support the candidate status resolution for our state.