We need weapons, hugs with Putin won't help - Zelenskyy at European Political Community Summit

This is stated on the website of the President's Office.

“Since the European Political Community Summit in the UK in July, there has been much talk about the need to yield to Putin, to back down, to make some “concessions.” And really, even from Europe, some leaders were strongly advocating Ukraine making “concessions” to Putin,” Zelenskyy said at the summit.

He called it “ unacceptable for Ukraine and unacceptable for all Europe.” According to him, the concept of “peace through strength” has repeatedly proved its realism and effectiveness, and now it is needed again.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also emphasized that Russia started the war against Ukraine not because it needed more territory, but because it wanted global power, first to control Ukraine and then to control the whole of Europe.

The president also thanked his partners for their support, but emphasized that this war is taking place on Ukrainian soil, so “it is up to Ukraine to decide what should and should not be on the agenda for ending this war”

He also noted that during the Russian-Ukrainian war, “the failure of certain European approaches has become apparent.”

“For example, the closer a country is to Russia, the weaker the concept of neutrality becomes. The rapid accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO showed how European and Alliance leaders truly envision guaranteed security – not through words, but through NATO. Ukraine has taken note of this.,” Zelenskyy said.

At the end of the speech, the President emphasized that Ukraine and the whole of Europe need leverage over Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy added that “together we can not only stop Russia’s war against Ukraine, but we can also respond to other challenges.”

On Thursday, November 7, Zelenskyy arrived in Hungary for the summit of the European Political Community, the Hungarian edition of telex reported.

World leaders arrived one by one at the European Political Community summit, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Currently, heads of state and government from 47 European countries have been invited to Budapest.

It is worth noting that this is Volodymyr Zelenskyy's first visit to Hungary since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

• The day before, Zelenskyy announced his visit to the summit in Budapest. He said he would visit the country at the invitation of Prime Minister Orban.