Sybiha at EU Council meeting: Now is time to arm ourselves as quickly as possible

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said this in a statement following Sybiha's online participation in a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Ukrinform reports.

The minister welcomed several key initiatives aimed at bolstering Europe's defense capabilities, emphasizing that Ukraine will play a crucial role in these efforts.

"I welcome the EU's leadership. We can already feel Europe's new strength. Now, we need the same speed in European decision-making," Sybiha said.

He also highlighted the significance of ReArm Europe, a historic initiative by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; a new proposal by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to enhance military support for Ukraine; and a "Coalition of the Willing," an initiative led by France and the UK.

Sybiha also expressed hope for an active role from Germany's new leadership.

"Now is the time to arm ourselves -- to strengthen Ukraine's and Europe's defense capabilities as quickly and effectively as possible. A well-armed Ukraine and Europe can deter Russia from launching another major war," the minister said.

Sybiha urged European partners to maximize efforts in increasing military aid to Ukraine, addressing critical gaps, investing in Ukraine's defense industry, and expanding funding for European defense. In the long term, he added, this will benefit all of Europe.

He also called for accelerating all EU political processes, particularly the removal of obstacles to opening Cluster 1: "Fundamentals" in Ukraine's EU accession process.

"Ukraine's accession to the EU and the path to peace are directly linked," he said.

Sybiha thanked the EU for its consistent sanctions policy, noting Ukraine's appreciation for the recent decision to extend individual sanctions.

He stressed the importance of maintaining and intensifying sanctions pressure on Moscow, proposing a new approach with smaller, more frequent sanctions packages targeting specific sectors such as the defense industry, the banking sector, nuclear energy, etc.

Additionally, he called for stricter enforcement of energy sanctions and reiterated that there are clear legal grounds for using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine immediately.

Sybiha expressed deep gratitude to the EU for its comprehensive support and emphasized the need to harness Europe's newfound strength to safeguard peace.

Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry