Remarks by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, at the 16th Halifax International Security Forum
Dear Mister President,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Halifax International Security Forum is an internationally recognized platform for comprehensive discussion of international security issues.
It is also the place for developing wise solutions. The solutions that make our world safer and more secure.
As I said yesterday, I am deeply grateful to each of you for the assistance and support provided to Ukraine in the face of the russian aggression.
But I have come to you not only for wise decisions. We need brave and just decisions.
I will not hesitate to say — historic decisions.
It is exactly such decisions that must be timely made in Halifax, Ottawa, Washington, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, and London.
Ukrainian people in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Sumy can’t wait to see such decisions.
Just a few days ago, the number representing the days of russia's invasion into Ukraine became a four-digit figure.
This brings in a new reality that requires new approaches.
On the one hand, we have one thousand days of Ukraine fighting on the battlefield. On the other hand, we have one thousand days of hesitation, procrastination, and sanctions with loopholes.
Many find this figure frightening.
They think it indicates that russia is not stopping. My question is: have we done enough to stop this figure from growing?
Ukrainians ask a lot of rightful questions.
Ukrainians ask: why Ukraine, which is fighting to protect the universal democratic values, does not get the due protection from the democratic world?
Why are we still unable to secure our own skies with the help of our allies?
Why are we not allowed to use Western-supplied weapons against all legitimate military targets in Russia?
Why do the rockets, bombs, and drones that kill Ukrainians around the clock still contain a lot of components made in Western countries?
Why was russia allowed to use an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile against the city of Dnipro just a few days before the 30th anniversary of the Budapest Memorandum?
The absence of clear answers to these questions only prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
The absence of clear answers and decisive actions only strengthen Putin’s regime.
The regime that grabbed unlimited power.
The regime that kills opposition leaders. The regime that invaded Georgia.
The regime that brutally interfered in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The regime that made a turbulent situation in Moldova.
The regime that annexed Belarus.
The regime that brought together the axis of evil and used their united force against Ukraine.
I have just mentioned a lot of geographical names. Geography, we cannot change. But we can change the course of History. We can change it with resolute, decisive actions.
At the immediate level – with fast deliveries of "Patriots" and other air defense systems.
With the delivery of long-range missiles and additional artillery.
With the supply of combat aircraft.
With the equipment of the new brigades we have formed.
I’m grateful to Canada for the delivery of the NASAMS system. It’s already on the ground in Ukraine.
The next decisive action.
Ukraine must become a member of NATO, as outlined in the Victory Plan by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance is not only a guarantee of security for Ukraine, but also a safeguard for its future existence.
For some, it's about making decisions. For us, it's about survival.
The sanctions pressure on russia must be significantly increased.
The sanctions regime must become total – without any exceptions or loopholes.
I often say that we can’t wait for the next sanctions package as for the introduction of the next iPhone. There must be just one true sanctions package immune to any loopholes.
The frozen russian must be used to compensate the huge losses caused by the russian war.
It's high time to hand Putin the bill for this war. And he must start paying it.
Dear friends!
Ukrainians are forced to defend their freedom and independence, but they are dreaming about peace. We want peace like nobody else. We want just and lasting peace. But we understand that peace can only be forced upon russia. Please treat this seriously and responsibly. This can finally bring peace to Ukrainians.
I truly hope that next year, with Canada taking over the G7 presidency, will mark the return of peace to Ukraine. Canada can and must fulfill its historic mission.
Dear Friends!
Here in Halifax, we talk a lot about values and the protection of values. I believe that Ukrainians have added new meaning to such values as freedom, democracy, and justice.
You often say that Ukrainians are heroes. We are grateful for that. But Ukrainians want to call you heroes — heroes for your brave decisions, timely actions, and unwavering resolve.
People say you can truly value something only once it's lost. I sincerely hope the democratic world will grasp the true meaning of freedom and democracy without having to lose them.
And finally.
Dear Peter! Ukrainian soldiers have a cherished tradition of exchanging their unit’s patches with their comrades in arms, as a demonstration of unity.
The Latin inscription on this patch reads, "A heavy armor of a warrior is better than a light collar of a slave."
These words explain what it means to be Ukrainian.
Allow me to present you with this patch.
Thank you for your attention!
Glory to Ukraine!