Volodomyr Zelensky has told a UK-led military coalition and Boris Johnson how to stop Russian aggression and ensure lasting peace on the European continent, the Ukraine President's website says.
The leader of the country that is fighting off a Russian invasion took part in a video conference summit with representatives of the member states of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), in a meeting chaired by the UK Prime Minister. The JEF is UK-led expeditionary force featuring Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.
President Zelensky said that if Ukraine cannot join NATO, it "must work with communities available", like the JEF.
"Our people will always remember who came to the rescue at the most difficult time for our state," said President Zelensky, thanking 'partner countries' for the for the support and assistance they have provided so far.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine destroyed everything that security in our region, and I am sure international security, was based on. The weight of the organizations we all hoped for. The force of international conventions. It has also called into question the world's most powerful alliance, NATO.”
However, President Zelensky's official website says he told the meeting that 'NATO has not yet plucked courage to close the Ukrainian sky to Russian missiles and planes, and Russian troops continue to bomb peaceful Ukrainian cities and kill people, blow up houses, hospitals and schools'.
'European countries, especially those bordering Russia, are now not sure that the Alliance will not be afraid to react if Russian missiles and planes fly to them. After all, Russian state propagandists are already directly saying that the war against Ukraine is just the beginning, that other European countries will be next. This is not denied in the Kremlin', states the website.
It says President Zelensky told the JEF and MR Johnson: "We need new formats of interaction, new determination. And if we cannot enter NATOs 'open door', then we must work with communities available, communities that will help us. Like yours. And have some guarantees. We would like to have reliable guarantees that will work for us. And also for you.
"We suggested a way. The way for Ukraine to be able to protect its skies and its people on its own. I would like everyone to hear this, especially those countries that have borders with Russia. We do everything to get planes. To get air defence."
President Zelensky also said that many global companies have not left the Russian market despite the imposition of sanctions.
“There is no international mechanism for influencing corporations today," said President Zelensky. "If they ignore blood, the world can do nothing. And this is when the worst war since World War II continues.
"This needs to be addressed. Now. Before Russia goes further. The sanctions policy should be such that no one could even think of war. The question is not only in Russia - the question is in the future: what else can happen.”
He called for a ban on the Russian naval fleet using world ports, the complete disconnection of Russian banks from SWIFT, the an embargo on any trade with Russia - and for it to be categorised as a terrorist state.#
“We emphasise that this is necessary for us, but it is also necessary for you. For the whole world, for peace in Ukraine, in Europe,” said President Zelesnky. He also said the "Russian military machine" can still be stopped to end the killings and the destruction of democracies.
“I think we all know this practice and these tragedies: missiles and bombs, helicopters and tanks, saboteurs and cyberattacks - all that is in the arsenal of today's Russia. Everything will be directed against Europe if Ukraine does not survive," continued Mr Zelensky.
"Therefore, I ask you: help yourself by helping us. You know what weapons we need. You know what means of protection we need. You know we crucially need airplanes. It would be extremely difficult for us without your efforts. I am grateful to you. But understand - we need more."
The Ukraine's President's website adds: 'He said that Ukrainian defenders captured Russian equipment on the battlefield and sent it back against the enemy, as well as used old Soviet equipment that had not worked for decades. However, this is not enough, because, according to statistics, there is one Ukrainian tank per 100 Russian tanks, and one Ukrainian military per up to 30 soldiers of the occupying forces.;
“That's why we really want you to help us," continued President Zelensky. "I am sure that you will be able to increase the volume and feel how it will strengthen your protection, your security together with ours. How this will make the world stable not only in our country, but also in your countries."
“Our strength is in the truth. It is on our side. We can stop the war with Russia. So that peace that Ukrainians strive for comes. Peace that the world strives for."
President Zelensky also 'spoke in favour of strengthening the anti-war coalition and stressed that our strength lies in rapid action and solidarity', added his website.
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