Hugging Putin won't save Europe, Zelensky warns at summit
- Some of those present here strongly advocated that Ukraine should make ‘concessions’ to Putin. This is unacceptable for Ukraine and suicidal for the entire Europe - said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Budapest, during the summit of the European Political Community. - Some of you have been hugging him for 20 years, and things are only getting worse - he emphasized.
- Yesterday I spoke with President Trump, like many of you. It was a good, productive conversation. Of course, we cannot yet know what his specific actions will be. But we hope that America will become stronger. This is the kind of America that Europe needs. And a strong Europe is what America needs. This is a tie between allies that should be valued and cannot be lost - stated President Zelensky in his speech at the summit in Budapest.
The Ukrainian leader assessed that Russia is escalating the situation by introducing North Korean forces into the war with Ukraine. - Peace is a reward only for the strong - he stressed, referencing the slogan of Donald Trump, who won the presidential election in the US on Tuesday.
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- Since the European Political Community Summit in the UK in July, there has been much talk about the need to yield to Putin, to back down, to make some "concessions." And really, even from Europe, some leaders were strongly advocating Ukraine making "concessions" to Putin. It’s unacceptable for Ukraine and unacceptable for all Europe. - Zelensky declared.
- And what’s next? Should Europe seek the favor of Kim Jong Un in hopes that he, too, will leave Europe in peace? No strong leader who helped build a united, strong, and peaceful Europe would even imagine doing this - Zelensky asked. - The concept of "peace through strength" has proven its realism and effectiveness more than once. Now, it is needed once more - he emphasized.
Zelensky: Hugging Putin won't help
- Russia started this war not because it needed more territory - Zelensky said. - Russia has more land than anyone. They wanted global power, starting with control over Ukraine and then over all of you, as they once did under Soviet or imperial rule. Budapest remembers what Soviet tanks looked like. Ukrainian cities will not forget Russian bombs. And just like Budapest, every city in Ukraine and all our countries deserves security and peace - stressed the Ukrainian president, recalling Russia's intervention in Hungary in 1956.
- I thank all of you for your support of Ukraine and our people. We are defending ourselves not against Russian words, but against Russian attacks. Therefore, we need sufficient weapons, not support in talks. Hugs with Putin will not help. Some leaders have been hugging him for 20 years, and things are only getting worse - Zelensky said during his speech at the summit.
He added that Russian leader Vladimir Putin "thinks only about wars and will not change." He can be stopped only with "pressure."
