Europe realizes it must shoulder lion's share of responsibility — Ukraine's former PM

He shared this information in an interview on Espreso TV.

"We are living in a new reality that we should have been preparing for ahead of the U.S. presidential elections, with a 'Plan B' already in place. Now, that 'Plan B' is being implemented. The key issue is that Europe must take on the lion's share of responsibility for Ukraine's future. I believed, and still believe, that without the U.S., it is extremely difficult for us to ensure the security of our country. The United States is going through a period it has faced before, both during World War I and World War II, with American isolationism beginning as early as George Washington. Therefore, we must not give up," emphasized the former Prime Minister of Ukraine.

He also mentioned that he held meetings with the EU Commissioner for Defense, the Estonian Minister of Defense, and the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, who assured him that Europe would stand by Ukraine and understood that they would need to take on the lion's share of responsibility.

"Europe has already provided significantly more than the U.S. according to the numbers — $140 billion compared to $100 billion. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that they will continue to support Ukraine. I understand all the skepticism, all the challenges, but at this moment, one must have a very cool head. Much depends on Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I can say that he has now taken the right position, clearly stating that there will be no negotiations without Ukraine, and Ukraine will not accept any conditions that are proposed without Ukraine's agreement. All our European friends have told me that this line must be maintained," concluded Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

• On February 14, the 61st Munich Security Conference began. The Ukrainian delegation at the Munich Conference was headed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Office of the President Head Andriy Yermak, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the Office of the President Pavlo Palisa also in attendance.