Ukraine Compact meeting addresses Russia's invasion, EU integration; leaders discuss peace efforts, economic support for Ukraine after 1,000 days of conflict

President Biden,

President Zelenskyy,

Fellow leaders,

In a few weeks, the world will mark 1,000 days of Russia's full-scale invasion. So many innocent people have been killed. So many cities have been razed to the ground. So many families have been torn apart. One day we will know how many young men and women were killed in this imperialistic war. But there is something we already know today. Peace cannot be taken for granted. We have to stand up for it every single day. No one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine. A just and lasting peace. Peace is not only the end of fighting, peace is not simply the absence of war. Peace is a settlement that makes war impossible and unnecessary. We must put Ukraine in the strong condition of negotiating such peace. And this is why the integration of Ukraine in the European Union is for us at the heart of our peace efforts.

Putting Ukraine in a strong position is also about the economy. The G7 partners in Puglia announced the USD 50 billion loan to Ukraine. And I am pleased to confirm that Europe will be providing up to EUR 35 billion. This loan will be repaid by the windfall profits of the immobilised Russian assets. In other words, it is Russia who pays for the damages it caused.

And Volodymyr, today you described how Russia tries to plunge Ukraine into the dark by massively targeting your energy infrastructure. Rest assured, together with our partners we are repairing, reconnecting and stabilising the energy supplies. There is light for Ukraine. Allow me to share a last thought with you: We can never match the sacrifices the Ukrainian people are making every day to stay free and independent. But what we can do is – stand by their side and build a common future. Five days ago, I was in Kyiv and saw several start-ups, it was really touching. Despite the war, Ukraine is blessed by the daring entrepreneurial spirit of its young people. Ukraine is becoming one of Europe's most digitised economies. Macroeconomic conditions are stable, inflation is under control. But most importantly: Ukraine is actively reaching out to the world, with its Peace Formula. And this is what the brave people of Ukraine deserve: a just and lasting peace.