08.05.25

Your Excellencies, esteemed guests! It is an honor to address the Kyiv Security Forum audience at such a defining moment for Ukraine and all of Europe. On behalf of the Belgian Armed Forces, let me express our deepest respect for steadf courage and unwavering determination exemplified by the Ukrainian people and your military.

You defend not only your freedom. You defend fundamental principles of European security – sovereignty, territorial integrity and the rule of law.

Belgium stands firmly by Ukraine’s side. Since the beginning of this war, we have been providing military, humanitarian and political assistance and will continue to do so. We demonstrated our support once again during our April 8 visit to Kyiv. Together with the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister of Belgium, we stood on Ukrainian soil as a sign of our unwavering solidarity.

Support means more than armaments, weaponry and training. It is also a shared understanding of threats that face us all. Ukraine is on the front line of confrontation between democracy and aggression, between international law and lawlessness.

That is why your fight is our fight. And that is why we must remain united, determined and ready for challenges. As Chief of Defence, I am clearly aware that security in the 21st century is not only about the strength of a state. It is about partnership, trust and readiness for action. The Belgian Armed Forces will continue their close cooperation with our European and NATO allies and with Ukraine to enforce stability and peace in our region.

And, as history teaches us, freedom gained in unity and determination, always prevails. Glory to Ukraine!

The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in Ukraine to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.