Volodymyr Zelensky urged NATO to recognize the “reality” that Ukraine should be a member of the military alliance, as he addressed a conference in London today.
From a distance from Kiev, the president said leaders must have the “courage” to recognize that the destinies of their countries were already interlinked.
He also appealed for international support for Ukraine to recover economically from the war with Russia.
The comments came after Rishi Sunak announced £2.35bn in bank loan guarantees to support the rebuilding of Kiev, in partnership with the World Bank.
And the prime minister joked that he might go to the Ukrainian capital for his summer vacation, after Mr Zelensky remarked that he hadn’t been for a while.
Volodymyr Zelensky urged NATO to recognize the ‘reality’ that Ukraine should be a member of the military alliance, as he addressed a conference in London today
The comments came after Rishi Sunak announced £2.35bn in bank loan guarantees to support the rebuilding of Kiev, in partnership with the World Bank.
Thousands of delegates from business, government and civil society have gathered for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which Mr Sunak hailed in an opening speech as an opportunity to ‘plant the seeds of Ukraine’s future’.
Thousands of delegates from business, government and civil society have gathered for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which Mr Sunak hailed in an opening speech as an opportunity to ‘plant the seeds of Ukraine’s future’.
Mr Zelensky said: ‘The eyes of the world are watching us and whether we will defeat Russian aggression exactly as freedom deserves to win, that is, without compromising our values.
“Furthermore, the world is watching to see if we will restore normal life in such a way that our transformation will bring an ideological defeat to the aggressor.
“We protect Ukraine, and by doing so we protect freedom. And when we build Ukraine, we build freedom.’
In addition to pushing for Ukraine to join NATO and the EU, Mr. Zelensky stressed Ukraine’s importance in the global food supply and its potential to become a major green energy power.
He said the country could be “the biggest source of economic, industrial and technological growth in Europe in decades and decades.”
Downing Street said the loan guarantees represent the first bilateral package of multi-year fiscal assistance to be prepared by a G7 country, with funding expected to support public services, including the costs of running schools and hospitals.
Mr Sunak also announced a commitment of up to £250 million in new capital for British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution.
“Before this terrible war, Ukraine’s economy was becoming a huge investment opportunity,” Sunak said.
It was the breadbasket of Europe, exporting millions of tons of food and grain every month, it was a top-five exporter of iron ore and steel, a leader in energy – advancing renewables, hydrogen and electric vehicles – and a start-up nation that gave birth to names like PayPal, WhatsApp and Revolut, with a thriving technology sector that even had a record year in 2022.
“The truth is that that opportunity is still there today – in fact, the war has only proven how much Ukraine has to offer.”
Ms von der Leyen also told the conference that she has “no doubt” that Ukraine will join the EU.
She praised the country’s progress on reforms, saying: “Together we gather here to tell the Ukrainians that their dream is our dream too.
‘Ukrainians tell us that when they imagine their future, they see the European flag waving above their cities. I have no doubt that Ukraine will be part of our union.’
Mr. Zelensky also appeared to be offering Mr. Sunak a new invitation to visit Ukraine, following his trip there last year.
“By the way, Prime Minister Rishi, we haven’t seen each other in Kiev for a long time.”
Mr. Sunak replied, “Thank you, Volodymyr, not least for providing options for my summer vacation in a few months.”
Boris Johnson, who has been an outspoken supporter of Ukraine since his departure, called on the West to focus on “ensuring a Ukrainian victory” and to equip Kiev with F-16 fighter jets.
Ursula von der Leyen also told the conference that she has “no doubt” that Ukraine will join the EU
“We need to focus on the Ukrainian counter-offensive and make sure the Ukrainians have everything they could possibly need,” he said in a video posted to Twitter.
“For months and months I have been saying what they need are the deep fires, the long-range missiles they will need to take out the Russian command and control positions.
It is also becoming increasingly clear that there is no point in just helping the Ukrainians with armor from the West, armored vehicles, Bradleys, Challenger tanks, Leopards and so on, unless the Ukrainians also have air superiority.
“That’s why we urgently need to get back to that question to give them the F-16s, the planes they need to control the skies and take out those Russian attack helicopters.
“So my message to everyone is very simple: yes, of course, let’s talk about rebuilding Ukraine. Let’s talk about the Ukrainian recovery, but the absolute condition for that conversation is to ensure a Ukrainian victory, and a Ukrainian victory as soon as possible.”