Address by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to the deputies of the National Assembly of the French Republic
Honourable Mr. Chairman!
Distinguished heads of political groups and committees!
Honorable deputies!
Right now, when I am addressing you, fierce battles are being fought in the east of Ukraine. We continue to defend our independence day by day and hour by hour in the extreme conditions of full-scale russian aggression.
The russian regime does not value human life. It does not respect the values of democracy and freedom that we are defending today on the frontline together with you - our partners, with your help and support.
russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has been going on for more than 9 months. The intense shelling of Ukraine, killing of civilians, destruction of towns and villages are constantly taking place. And this is in Europe in the 21st century!
Massive missile attacks on critical infrastructure of Ukraine, which ensures the vital activity of the population, especially in this difficult winter period, do not cease. Since October 10 alone, the russians have fired over a thousand cruise missiles and drones at civilian energy infrastructure. The russian regime thus wants to leave us in the dark and cold. What is this if not real terror?
We welcome the adoption of a number of decisions and resolutions by the parliamentary assemblies of the Council of Europe, NATO, as well as the European Parliament, which recognized such actions of russia as terrorism. We highly appreciate that these decisions were also supported by French parliamentarians.
Mr. Chairman, you took part in the historic visit of the President of the National Assembly of France Yaël Braun-Pivet to Ukraine for the first time in late September, and we met with her in Kyiv. This visit was a clear evidence of solidarity of the French Republic with Ukraine, support for our independence and territorial integrity.
You visited Chernihiv region and saw with your own eyes the destructive consequences of russian aggression. I am grateful that France is actively involved in the restoration of Ukraine, in particular in Chernihiv and Kyiv regions.
The war continues and we still need support and assistance. I want to thank France for the provision of Caesar self-propelled howitzers, which have proven themselves very well. Ukrainian soldiers are quickly mastering them. I am grateful for the Crotale surface-to-air missile defense system, which helps us to counteract missile terror, as well as for a number of other extremely important weapons.
However, amid russia's missile terror against Ukraine's critical infrastructure, we need more air defense systems. We must ensure the fullest possible protection of Ukrainian skies in order to survive. To this end, we are negotiating with the Government of France on the supply of MAMBA (SAMP/T) air defense systems to Ukraine. Their characteristics will allow to protect Ukraine's critical infrastructure much more reliably. We count on your support in this matter.
Taking this opportunity, I urge you, ladies and gentlemen deputies, to join the post-war reconstruction of particular cities and regions of Ukraine. I would like to ask you to assist in organizing meetings in your regions so that cities, arrondissements, departments or regions of France could take patronage over certain cities and regions of Ukraine that suffered from the russian aggression. We already have a positive experience of partnership with Kyiv and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine in the framework of the presidential patronage program. So I hope for your support in this matter.
russian strikes on our energy sector, on our energy facilities do not stop for a single day.
Economic losses of our state as a result of russian aggression have already reached more than EUR 500-600 billion. About 50% of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure has been damaged.
The damage to energy facilities occurred in many regions - it affects the volume of generation and transportation of electricity that provides millions of people and basic utilities.
The very fact that russia has resorted to terror against the civilian population at the same time shows the weakness of the enemy. They cannot defeat Ukraine on the battlefield and therefore are trying to plunge our country into darkness, hunger and cold.
russian terror must receive a strong global response.
Back in spring, Ukraine invited partners to join the project of rebuilding Ukraine, as it was already obvious that it would be a large-scale project of our time - economic, technological, social. And most importantly - ideological.
The key principles of Ukraine's reconstruction will be sustainable development, innovations, green energy development, ecological thinking, focus on the interests of communities, implementation of the principles of barrier-free access, creation of new jobs and new industries in Ukraine.
You know that Ukraine was granted the candidate status for accession to the European Union - this is our guideline and incentive for deepening cooperation.
Candidate status requires reforms. Post-war reconstruction will also require reforms. These processes have already been combined. We are working on strengthening our institutions, improving living standards. Our goal is to make Ukraine the most convenient country for life and business.
We are working on this issue. We have recently updated the legislation that provides a number of fiscal incentives for investment in the development of industrial parks. We have drawn up a plan for the implementation of all EU regulations and directives in the framework of the Association Agreement with the European Union.
"Ukraine is Europe". This is the idea that Ukraine is now defending.
Today we have reached the moment when we can say that the EU has helped Ukraine to carry out the transformations necessary for a successful European country. The next crucial step is to start negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU.
Now it is vital to maintain the pace of cooperation that we have achieved so far. The openness of the EU to further steps will significantly mobilize our domestic political resources for the complete transformation of the country in all spheres - from judicial to environmental.
By the end of this year we are planning to implement the recommendations of the European Commission, and next year we expect to commence negotiations on enlargement.
The Government of Ukraine has developed a roadmap for each item of the Commission's recommendations. Some of the recommendations have already been implemented, some are still under active consideration and we will complete them in the near future.
We have the political will and readiness of all state bodies to work together to implement the recommendations quickly and efficiently. In parallel with this process we have to prepare the state for the negotiation process and structural reforms.
We understand that the process of joining the EU with full access to the common market used to take years. However, at a time when russia's war against Ukraine determines the future of the continent, and Ukraine, defending its sovereignty, is at the forefront of protecting European values, it is necessary to adapt all procedures to the requirements of today.
It is the speed and flexibility in decision-making to support Ukraine that allows us to say today that the war will end in Ukraine's victory, and thus in the victory of democracy over autocracy.
Ukraine is writing its modern history right now. Ukraine has made its choice. We are part of a free and equal European community.
Today, Ukraine and Europe critically need each other. This is the restoration of historical justice and cooperation based on the formula of mutual benefit "win-win".
For the European Union, Ukraine is:
- a strong army and prospects for the development of the military-industrial complex;
- guarantees of global food security;
- greater opportunities for the "green transition" and diversification of energy sources;
- the presence in Ukraine's subsoil of 117 out of 120 types of minerals consumed in the world;
- it is the potential of placing European production facilities near the markets;
- it is a new quality of digital space and cyberspace.
The war will end and partnership reconstruction will begin. Here we count on the maximum involvement of France.
Like France, we are striving for a strong and economically vibrant Europe. To support and invest in Ukraine today is to ensure our common more secure and prosperous future tomorrow that is so close. For the benefit of you and me and our children.
Today, more than ever, the Ukrainian Government has become united and monolithic in the face of this war. And we call on the whole civilized world to do the same - to be united and unshakable in the face of this unprecedented aggression in the 21st century. This is the only thing that will help us all to win and defend the democratic values of the free world.
Thank you for your attention! Glory to Ukraine! And Glory to France!