Russia's aggression against Ukraine is aggression against the whole of a united Europe, so the answer must be a united ono, stated President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at a briefing on the occasion of the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Romanian President Klaus Johannis and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
According to the President of Ukraine, the meeting with European leaders was a confirmation of the joint struggle. They discussed reinforcing Ukraine's defense, coordinating approaches to economic support, and analyzed ideas and collaborative opportunities to combat the food crisis.
They also discussed sanctions pressure and Ukraine's prospects on the road to the EU.
"I informed the partners about the current situation on the front line, the heroic defense of our Donbas, and the situation in Kharkiv and the south. The total number of missile strikes in Ukraine is close to 3,000. The vast majority of missiles were aimed at civilian targets. Taking everything into account, I described our defense priorities," said Zelenskyy.
The President stressed that there is a direct correlation: the more heavy weapons we receive, the faster we liberate our lands.
Zelenskyy added: Russia does not want peace; it wants nothing but war. However, it must realize that there is no alternative to peace.
Russia's goal in this war is to break Ukraine and break Europe in general through it, Zelensky said.
"Russia wants to show that European unification is allegedly incapable of being effective and that European values cannot work to protect freedom. We must work together to break this scenario," he said.
The President of Ukraine noted that the status of a candidate for EU membership might be one of the most critical European decisions. Ukrainians deserve this status.
Mario Draghi stated that the EU confirms its readiness to help Ukraine.
"Italy wants to see Ukraine as part of the European Union. This means that it will unequivocally support it as a candidate," he promised.
Draghi stressed that peace should be the way Ukraine wants it to be.
Klaus Johannis said he supported the investigation of and punishment for all war crimes and that Romania would continue to look for ways to resist the russian invasion.
"Romania has long supported Ukraine, providing comprehensive support. We did everything we could; we are united," he said.
The Romanian President said he and his colleagues had discussed with Zelenskyy possible ways to resolve the food crisis, including the transit of grain through his country. The Romanian port has already provided transit for more than a million tons of grain from Ukraine.
Emmanuel Macron stressed that Zelenskyy and Ukraine have the support of the EU.
"Ukraine can count on us ... We stand side by side with Ukraine in defense of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as your freedom. This is our goal; we have no other goal. We will achieve this goal, we see that the fate of European security is being decided on Ukrainian soil. Europe is next to you, side by side with you. To victory! The face of this victory is a free and independent Ukraine, peaceful and calm," he said.
France is ready to continue to help Ukraine and increase military support. It has already handed over the Caesar ACS and sent specialists to investigate war crimes. In the coming weeks, Macron is ready to provide additional Caesar systems. The French will also hand over a mobile DNA lab.
The French President also called on Russia to end the blockade of Ukrainian ports to export grain.
Macron added that he and three of his colleagues support granting Ukraine EU candidate status. He hopes that this decision will be made unanimously. The President stressed that Ukraine must decide on what conditions to rebuild peace and when to sit at the negotiating table.
"Ukraine will be free. The glory and freedom have not yet perished," he concluded with lines from the Ukrainian national anthem.
Olaf Scholz assured of the support of Ukrainians in their heroic struggle. The Chancellor added that the courage of the Ukrainian military is admirable.
"I came to Kyiv to tell you this in person. The attack on Ukraine means a change of times because Russia is trying to move European borders by force. We support Ukraine in defending its sovereignty; we support it financially and through humanitarian efforts. Germany has long broken its state position. "We have started supplying weapons and will continue to do so as much as Ukraine needs. We are training the Ukrainian military. We have promised to install systems to protect entire cities from air raids. And we have agreed that Germany would supply missile systems." he stressed.
Scholz added that he would unequivocally support granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership at the European Council.
Macron, Scholz, Draghi and Johannis arrived in Ukraine today for the first time since a full-scale Russian invasion began. In addition to Irpin, which the occupiers destroyed, European leaders visited Kyiv to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit of European leaders took place on the eve of the European Commission's decision to grant Ukraine candidate status.