On February twenty fourth, the fourth anniversary of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, we, the Ambassadors of France, Germany and the UK in Kyiv, reiterate our condemnation of Russia's barbaric and unjustified aggression towards Ukraine in addition to our unshattered assist to Ukraine in its combat for independence.
Since February twenty fourth 2022, Ukraine and the Ukrainian individuals have proven extraordinary braveness and resilience. This conflict, which President Putin doesn’t even name a conflict and which was supposed to finish in three days, has already lasted longer than the Second World Warfare for the USSR. To those that declare that Russia is successful the conflict, we reply clearly: nothing is much less true. Russia has reached none of its strategic aims. In 4 years, Russia has seen greater than one million casualties, spent appreciable sums on its horrible aggression, and remoted itself diplomatically, with Iran, North Korea and Belarus now its closest allies.
Europe has responded and stands firmly alongside Ukraine. Removed from being divided or weak, Europe is taking motion. Taken as a complete, it’s Ukraine's main supply of assist, notably in monetary phrases. The historic €90 billion mortgage from the EU will meet Ukraine's navy and budgetary wants in 2026 and 2027. It’s a robust signal to Russia: don’t rely on our weakening assist.
The European Union and the UK have additionally, in a coordinated method, imposed heavy sanctions on Russia and stepped up their combat towards the Russian shadow fleet: the rise in boarding operations in current weeks exhibits it in a putting method. The Coalition of the Prepared is and can stay a necessary pillar of peace and safety in Ukraine after the top of the conflict. The successive conferences of the Coalition members, in London on March 2nd 2025, in Berlin on December 14th and in Paris on January sixth 2026, to not point out the quite a few digital conferences co-chaired by President Macron, Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Starmer, together with the one scheduled right this moment, demonstrated our unity and our resolve to defend Ukraine, strengthen its stance within the negotiations and, as soon as a ceasefire has been reached, allow it to rebuild its military by means of a strong and dissuasive mechanism.
Within the context of the present peace negotiations, our three nations strongly assist Ukraine, which has demonstrated its constructive angle and willingness to succeed in a simply and lasting settlement. As soon as once more, we should depart no room for doubt: it’s Russia, not Ukraine, that’s stopping the negotiations from succeeding, by means of its maximalist angle and its calls for amounting to nothing lower than Ukraine's capitulation. Our nations will proceed to assist Ukraine and its reputable aspirations in these negotiations.
However we should do much more as Europeans. We should proceed to assist Ukraine financially, militarily, within the fields of humanitarian help and vitality assist. We should full the preparation of the Coalition of the Prepared. We should additional strengthen our sanctions towards Russia. And we should assist Ukraine on its path in direction of the European Union. Ukraine has unequivocally chosen Europe, and our place is evident: its future lies within the EU. To this finish, we encourage the Ukrainian authorities and authorities to proceed their efforts and the reforms vital for the nation's accession to the Union. As soon as adopted, the efficient implementation of those reforms will likely be key, as they aren’t solely a prerequisite for any future EU member, however are additionally anticipated and wished for by the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians.
Even after this conflict ends, Russia will stay a risk. As our leaders just lately emphasised in Munich, Europe's financial weight is ten occasions higher than that of Russia: it’s time to absolutely translate this financial energy into navy energy. The European continent has for too lengthy been lulled by the illusions of the top of the Chilly Warfare and the concept that commerce and legislation alone may carry ample weight. Europe should settle for the brand new geopolitical actuality and strengthen its 'onerous energy' within the face of nations that solely respect power. We should develop our navy, political, financial and technological energy. We should strengthen and streamline our industrial defence cooperation, combine our manufacturing chains and proceed to develop widespread navy tools.
Ukraine and the Ukrainian individuals are admired globally for resisting throughout 4 years an adversary with seemingly far higher human, monetary and materials sources. By defending its sovereignty and independence, Ukraine is defending the entire of Europe and common ideas. This conflict has lastly made our continent realise that the world has modified, that Europe have to be extra autonomous and eventually settle for to talk the language of energy. Europe will proceed to assist Ukraine unwaveringly, be it militarily, on the rear entrance and in negotiations. It can proceed to strengthen itself, rearm and put together for brand new Russian aggressions, which is able to undoubtedly happen. Our nations have taken inventory of the geopolitical problem posed by Russia to Europe and the world. It’s now as much as us to rise as much as this problem. Ukraine is exhibiting us the best way.
Gaël VEYSSIERE, Ambassador of the French Republic in Ukraine
Heiko THOMS, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ukraine
Neil CROMPTON, Ambassador of the UK of Nice Britain and Northern Eire in Ukraine
