During the EU Foreign Ministers Council, Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, briefed his counterparts on the battlefield situation, peace efforts, reforms, and anti-corruption measures. This was reported by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
The minister highlighted the increasing Russian terror and outlined the key needs for strengthening the defense and resilience of Ukraine and Europe. He expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by European colleagues following the tragic attack by Russia on residential buildings in Ternopil, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including three children.
Sybiha identified three strategic priorities for Ukraine's defense: enhancing air defense, developing long-range capabilities, and bolstering the defense industry.
"New agreements on air defense with France and Spain, reached during President Volodymyr Zelensky's visits this week, have significantly contributed to our defense capabilities," he noted.
Sybiha emphasized that every investment in Ukraine's armament production today is an investment in long-term peace and Europe's arsenal.
"Precision strikes on legitimate targets in Russia weaken its arms production and undermine Russian trust in the Kremlin. Moscow may censor information, but it cannot censor what people feel when aggression returns home," the head of Ukrainian diplomacy remarked.
The minister urged partners to expedite the work on the twentieth EU sanctions package against Russia and reminded that Ukraine has already submitted the necessary proposals. He called on European partners to complement the sanctions policy with effective tariff restrictions that could be implemented without consensus voting.
He noted that integrating Ukrainian production capabilities into EU member states' plans under the SAFE program is mutually beneficial. In his view, Ukraine has already proven to be a reliable eastern defense flank for Europe and can serve as a dependable European arsenal.
The Ukrainian side insists that frozen Russian assets have become a key security issue, and their utilization could alter Moscow's calculations. It is crucial to make a collective decision about fully utilizing these assets for Ukraine's defense and recovery by the end of the year: "The aggressor must pay for its aggression, and you have all the tools to ensure that."
He also informed European partners about the consistent steps taken by the Ukrainian government in response to the disclosed data, the release of individuals involved in investigations, the imposition of relevant sanctions, and the full cooperation of all government institutions with independent anti-corruption bodies.
Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine's unwavering commitment to reforms, anti-corruption efforts, and the rule of law, reflecting the principled and firm stance of President Volodymyr Zelensky and the entire Ukrainian nation.
In the context of Ukraine's Euro-integration path, the Foreign Minister noted that EU membership is part of the security guarantees for Ukraine, and the military experience of the Ukrainian army will be an asset for the future of Europe, emphasizing the need to advance towards EU accession.