EPA-EFE
The President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, said today in Dubrovnik that an invitation to Ukraine for membership in the NATO alliance would represent a step towards peace, as Russia would thereby suffer a geopolitical defeat.
– Does Ukraine have its place in NATO? If there is, Russian President Vladimir Putin will lose the geopolitical battle. Russia will have to accept that Europe has borders, that there are independent states that have the right to choose their future – said Zelensky in his opening speech at the Ukraine – Southeast Europe summit, Hina agency reported.
At the summit meeting in Dubrovnik, high-ranking officials from the countries of the region gathered, including Serbian President Alekandar Vučić, to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
In his speech, Zelenski said that by the end of the year there are real prospects for approaching peace and that the situation on the battlefield provides that opportunity.
– We have to make bold decisions. We are counting on the leadership of US President Joseph Biden, we are counting on the strong and wise steps of Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, in order to bring security and peace to Europe – Zelenski pointed out.
The Prime Minister of Croatia, who is co-hosting the meeting with Zelenski, said that the summit represents a useful and sincere format for political support for Ukraine.
– We are very pleased that the summit is taking place in Dubrovnik, a city that is the cradle of Croatian diplomacy and a beacon of freedom. It is a city that experienced war and destruction in its recent history, but today it enjoys peace, prosperity and progress. This is exactly the future we want for Ukraine – said Plenković in his opening speech.
He stated that Ukraine was one of the first countries to recognize Croatia in 1991, pointing out that Croatia stands by that country today.
Plenković assessed that supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression is not only a matter of solidarity with the people fighting for survival, but also a key geopolitical and security interest.
– Russia not only attacked Ukraine, but also undermined the foundations of European security, violating the main principles of international law and international order – said the Croatian Prime Minister.
At the end of the summit, the adoption of a joint declaration was announced, which should include condemnation of Russian aggression against Ukraine, support for Ukrainian territorial integrity, support for the Ukrainian peace plan, a demand for the prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine, support for Euro-Atlantic integration of Kyiv, as well as support for energy security and the reconstruction of Ukraine. after the end of the war, says Hina.
The summit in Dubrovnik is the third summit meeting in this format, the previous ones were held in Athens and Tirana.
Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavčev, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Chairperson of the BiH Council of Ministers Borjana Kristo and the Prime Minister of North Macedonia are at the meeting. Christian Mickoski.
The foreign ministers of Moldova, Turkey and Romania are also in Dubrovnik.
Source: www.vesti-online.com
