Putin is a dictator and a war criminal. Russia started the war and must pay for its aggression.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the legitimate President of Ukraine.

Ukraine will hold elections after the war, which should end in just and lasting peace with security guarantees. This can only be achieved through the unity of the United States, the EU, and Ukraine.

We are grateful to our allies. We need a plan on how to move forward  

Eleven years of war. In February 2014, Russia attacked Ukraine, occupied and annexed Crimea, and started a war in the East, hoping it would lead to a chain reaction of destruction and the liquidation of our country.

We have survives agains these diabolical calculations. I am writing about this as someone who, after the Maidan, was honored to lead the government of an exhausted but unbroken country.

These days mark another milestone - three years of full-scale hell. Since February 24, 2022. And Kyiv has been standing strong not for three, but for 1100 days.

We honor and pay tribute to our soldiers, Ukrainian men and women, for their bravery, courage and self-sacrifice.We honor the memory of our fallen defenders on the third anniversary, and every day, and forever.  

We, Ukrainians, are a grateful nation towards our allies. I say "thank you" to the people of the United States, "thank you" to Europe, NATO, and the G7. You deserve applause for supporting Ukraine. We know the value of your efforts.

But the truth is that Putin has not been stopped. His occupation army continues to ravage Ukrainian land, kill, destroy and threaten other peoples of the continent and the world.

To win, we need a cold mind, a clear vision of the goal and how to achieve it.

Let me share my plan.

Not “tit for tat",  but a cold calculation

I can clearly see what is happening, and the degree of my emotions is such that this text could be reduced to a few phrases of foul language. If only it would help...

Amidst the moods that are currently rocking our Western allies, it is important to avoid making fatal mistakes.

An insult for an insult,  "an eye for an eye” principle  - such an exchange leads to an abyss. I strongly disagree with this kind of approach.

We need to face the dilemma in an adult manner. Whose "victory" do we need - Trump's or Putin's?

We want Ukraine to win, so we need the American president to win.

This means acting prudently. We have to negotiate wisely with the Americans to get what we need to survive. Remembering that we need not only to preserve Ukraine, but also to prevent future aggression.

Europe has to be on a forefront

The European Union should take a leadership position.

An important example of this would be European Parliament’s resolution on the defense budget and a long-term security package for Ukraine.

And also an appeal to the United States to do the same. To offer: "Give Ukraine a Land-Lease, and we will buy your weapons." Rumors of a 30% cut in the Pentagon's budget are a wake-up call. Europe has to say: "Don't cut the defense spending. We are ready to increase our military spendings, but only if you do the same."

Russian assets: it’s time to stop being afraid of Russia

300 billion of Russia's assets are allocated in Europe, not in the United States.

It's time to stop being afraid of the Kremlin. Confiscate them and say to Donald Trump: "We've done our job - now it's your turn, do the same with $5 billion of Russian assets in the United States. With the funds confiscated in Europe, we are ready to buy your ammunition and support the Ukrainian economy, but let's move towards each other."

If we want to win the war, we should finally aim at Putin's wallet, from which he seeks to return the money, avoiding responsibility.

Do not retreat from sanctions

The EU must maintain a firm stance on anti-Russian sanctions. This means extending the sanctions package every six months. And also the decision to introduce secondary sanctions against those who circumvent the sanctions policy of the European Union and the United States.

This will give the EU an upper hand and allow it to say to Donald Trump: "Mr. President, we have done our job here, so we expect you to do the same." Sanctions should be effective and accelerate the negative processes in the Russian economy.

G7 and Canada: a voice of unity  

I would like to address our Canadian friends. We are proud to have an independent, sovereign, and strong Canada, and it will always be that way.

There are tensions in the G7, with the US seemingly hesitant to clearly condemn Russia. Canada, our proud ally with a strong Ukrainian diaspora, can take the lead. Declare your readiness to accept the G7 decision with a clear message from all G7 members to increase military spending, buy weapons, help Ukraine, and strengthen the joint multinational alliances:  "But you, Mr. Trump, will have to support the G7 statement."  

Insist:  "Mr. President, it's up to you. You have to include this language."

And if you, our Canadian friends, do this publicly, believe me, you will achieve this goal. This is, in fact, a way of making political deals that became so popular in this new modern world.

NATO: building up strength

The same goes for the world's most powerful alliance.

If its European members initiate a gradual increase in spending, increasing NATO's strength and demonstrating their belief in victory, America will not be able to stand aside.

And then address the US: ”We're relying on you. But you have to do your part.” It will work.

Ukraine: stability and elections  

Rumors about elections in Ukraine are a dangerous attempt to destabilize the country in a time of war.

My proposal: The parliament adopts a resolution that elections will be held six months after a comprehensive peace agreement is reached. Let me remind you that I publicly stated this a year ago.

The only body that has the powers to set the date of the presidential election is the Ukrainian parliament. This is strictly in accordance with the Constitution.

This will knock the trump cards out of the hands of Ukraine's enemies. It will also give Donald Trump an argument: "Ukraine adheres to the principles of democracy."

The economy of victory  

On the rare earth minerals. The presidents of Ukraine and the United States should sign MOU on our mutually beneficial cooperation.

Do you want to invest in Ukraine? We do want to make sure that both you and we make a profit. So that Ukraine does not pay for the war, but the aggressor, Russia, does. And then, I am sure, the Ukrainian parliament will support the president and pass a resolution stating that we are ready to develop all the necessary conditions.

The Parliament will support it, the government will hire the lawyers from the United States - and it will become not be just a facade, but a real deal concluded with the American administration.

The watershed moment

We are living in the times of new challenges. Putin, a creature of the Soviet KGB, is waiting and maneuvering. But he should not be given any chance to defeat us. We must be proactive, not only regarding him but also his allies: China, Iran, North Korea, and various pariahs in the world.

This challenge is our chance. We have to be prudent, creative, and active.   

Abstracts of the special event of 

the Kyiv Security Forum 

on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine