February 24, 2026, marks four years since the start of the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, which was a continuation of Russia's armed aggression against our state that has been ongoing since 2014.

Every act of aggression by Russia that is left without a decisive response from the world leads to new crimes. The Russian Federation continues its attempts to destroy the global order based on respect for and compliance with international law in general and the UN Charter in particular. Moscow's imperial ambitions are not limited to Ukraine. It seeks to destabilize and weaken European countries, reimpose 'might makes right' principle on the global arena and undermine multilateral formats of cooperation.

The Russian Federation's armed aggression against Ukraine, which began in 2014, has led to the greatest destabilization of the world order since World War II due to the aggressor's impunity and the world's insufficiently decisive response. By refusing to end the war against Ukraine, Russia is destroying the very architecture of European and global security, strategic stability, and the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Russia systematically resorts to state terrorism. The criminal destruction of Ukraine's critical civilian infrastructure during extreme winter frosts is an attempt by the Russian Federation not only to create a humanitarian catastrophe in the heart of Europe, but also to provoke a nuclear incident. Among the most dangerous and cynical manifestations of the Russian Federation's tactics is its systematic use of prohibited methods of warfare, strikes aimed at maximizing civilian casualties as well as the use of indiscriminate weapons and dangerous chemicals.

Russia is repeating the most horrific crimes of totalitarian regimes of the past, attempting to use genocidal practices in the 21st century to force Ukrainians into submission or expel them from their homeland.

Such criminal actions by the Russian Federation do not require another attempt to appease the aggressor, they demand a principled and decisive response. Russia understands nothing but the language of force.

Exercising its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, Ukraine today is defending not only its right to exist, its national identity, and its choice of future. We are protecting the world from the total destruction of the international legal architecture and the chaos, lawlessness, and arbitrariness that Moscow seeks to impose upon the international community. We stand tall guarding freedom and justice - our shared values that the aggressor seeks to destroy.

Strategically, Russia has already been defeated. None of its imperial goals have been achieved, while Ukraine has demonstrated unity and the will to resist attempts to destroy its statehood. Our country has been and remains the integral part of a united Europe, without which it is impossible to imagine the security architecture of the European continent. In this sense, Ukraine's full integration into the military-political structures of the Euro-Atlantic space is not only a requirement of the times, but a necessity for ensuring effective collective security and maintaining long-term peace in Europe and North America.

Ukraine is already a key center of power in Europe. It is the Ukrainian military, with the support of its allies, that is holding back the military machine of aggressive Russia, which poses an existential threat to the entire Euro-Atlantic community.

Ukraine wants to end the war and restore peace on its land more than anyone else in the world. Ukrainian people deserve a dignified peace and guaranteed security.

Ukraine appreciates the peace efforts of President Donald Trump and the United States, with the active participation of European countries and other partners. We are making every effort to end the war as soon as possible and put an end to the killings. Ukraine has put forward a number of constructive proposals to this end and insists that similar constructive steps must also come from the Russian Federation. We are convinced that this outcome requires increased military and economic pressure on Moscow from the international community.

We count on further increased support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukraine's full integration into the European political and security architecture so that our joint efforts to end the war see success as soon as possible.

We need unity in increasing pressure on the aggressor - political isolation of the Russian Federation, sanctions, use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine to the full extent, a complete ban on entry into Europe and the G7 countries for Russian citizens who participated in the aggression against Ukraine as well as their family members. All of this contributes to our common security.

Ukraine continues to work with its partners on the practical launch of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and other components of the architecture of justice to hold Russia and its criminals accountable. Bringing the military and political leadership of the Russian Federation to accountability will not only be an act of justice, but also a guarantee that such crimes will not be repeated in the future, not only in Europe, but elsewhere in the world.

We will also continue to use every international platform and mechanism available to bring our people home: prisoners of war, civilians and abducted children.

The Russian Federation is expanding its aggression through information attacks, undermining trust in democratic institutions and fueling internal conflicts in Europe. Countering Russia's strategy in the information space is critical to the security and stability of Europe and the world.

The financial, humanitarian, energy, security and defense support that international partners have already provided to Ukraine has been a significant investment in the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the reconstruction of the state. Long-term, systematic and predictable financial assistance to Ukraine is a critically important contribution not only to Ukraine's victory and recovery, but also to the common security, stability and prosperity of Europe at large. Ukraine must emerge from this ordeal stronger as a reliable partner in building a secure future for the entire continent.

To prevent aggression from reoccurring, Ukraine must receive clear, legally binding and effective security guarantees, backed by the resources and capabilities of its partners. We call for increased contributions to the development of such an architecture, which would eliminate any “gray zones” that could serve as a pretext for a new aggression. We encourage determination and commitment in supporting Ukraine - in the supply of weapons, financing and joint defense production. The implementation of the PURL program and the SAFE initiative should strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, which will contribute to the strengthening of the pan-European security system.

Ukraine cannot afford to show weakness in confronting Russian aggression, because our survival and our future are at stake. But neither can the entire civilized world, which seeks to preserve international peace and security, afford to show weakness. We expect resilience and strategic determination from our partners. Together we are strong. United by common goals, armed with the right strategy, and ready for action, we will overcome any threat and ensure a free and peaceful future for generations to come.