Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha briefed the EU Council on the situation at the front, emphasizing the need to reach 50,000 Russian losses per month. He called for full strategic autonomy for Europe and funding for the PURL program.
On Thursday, January 29, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha took part online in a meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, where he informed his European counterparts about the situation on the front line and in Ukraine in general, the most urgent and strategic needs, and the promotion of peace efforts, UNN reports with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"We have entered a new year, which could be a turning point for the future of Europe. In conditions of geopolitical turbulence, it is important to keep Ukraine in focus," the minister emphasized.
Sybiha expressed gratitude to European partners for their unity, consistency, and leadership in their daily support of Ukraine. According to the Foreign Minister, this demonstrates three things: Europe stands for its values. Europe is determined. Europe has strength.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that despite loud statements, Russia has not achieved any breakthrough on the battlefield, and the losses of the occupiers continue to grow. Ukraine's goal is to reach 50,000 Russian losses per month. According to the head of the foreign policy department, when Russians lose more than they can recruit, it will force Putin and his regime to reconsider their plans.
Sybiha once again emphasized that Ukraine seeks to achieve parity in weaponry and capabilities on the front line.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that supporting Ukraine is an investment in the common security of the European continent. "We are buying you time – that is the bitter truth. It is better to stop Russia in Ukraine now," the minister noted.
He noted that Europe must achieve full strategic autonomy in matters of armaments and security. This is a matter of Europe's survival, in which Ukraine is a key element on this path.
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Andriy Sybiha noted the importance of the PURL program for strengthening Ukrainian air defense and protecting critical infrastructure, especially for missile defense against ballistic threats and the supply of interceptor missiles. For this, it is important to ensure funding for this program at approximately $15 billion per year.
"PURL is the only tool that allows us to buy critically important weapons from Americans. It is also important that the European SAFE initiative starts yielding results as soon as possible this year," the minister emphasized.
In the context of peace efforts and recent negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Andriy Sybiha noted that Ukraine views them as a continuation of interaction with the United States and peace efforts that gained new momentum last autumn.
The Foreign Minister announced that Ukraine, together with the United States, is currently preparing for the next round in a trilateral format in the near future.
"As I have already said, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to meet with Putin to discuss the most sensitive issues. In particular, regarding the territories and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The Kremlin's public reaction to this thesis once again showed that Putin does not want to stop the aggression," Andriy Sybiha emphasized and noted that in the current geopolitical reality, only the United States and Donald Trump are capable of forcing Moscow to end the war.
The Foreign Minister called on partners not to remove the issue of frozen Russian assets from the agenda. This is a powerful lever for peace that cannot be abandoned.
Sybiha highlighted key opportunities for Europe to put pressure on Russia: blocking the "shadow fleet" and adopting a strong 20th package of sanctions, including restrictions against the Russian defense industry and oil and gas sector. The minister also called for sanctions against "Lukoil" and "Rosneft," following the American example.
The Foreign Minister congratulated the European Union on its final decision to abandon Russian gas by 2027, and thanked it for its recent decision to allocate the first ten million euros for the Special Tribunal.
"Russia must pay. Sooner or later. It must feel this pressure now. The very risk of losing assets forced Putin to change his behavior last year," he noted.
Separately, Sybiha noted the urgent energy assistance from the EU and contributions to Ukraine's resilience within the framework of the so-called "Energy Ramstein." The minister also expressed sincere gratitude to the societies of European countries for their genuine solidarity.
"I am confident that our bitter experience at the level of each family and our state as a whole will also contribute to the stability of Europe. Of course, it would be better if no one had to go through such an experience. But we must be prepared. This is the war of the future," the minister noted.
In the context of the European integration path, the Foreign Minister noted that this year should be decisive. Ukraine's membership in the EU will bring peace closer, strengthen the EU, give Ukraine another security guarantee, and create conditions for economic growth in Europe. This is a key element of Europe's new security architecture.
"The fate and peace of Europe are being decided in Ukraine today. And at a very high price," the minister added in conclusion.
