Europe Asia News

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha sent messages reminding European countries that the war in Ukraine is continuing ahead of the informal European Union (EU) ministerial meeting in Ireland.

Sybiha said he had arrived in Ireland from Kyiv, noting that air raid sirens sound around 15 times a day in Ukraine and that the war must not fall off Europe’s agenda.

In a statement on social media, Sybiha said he was in Ireland to deliver a “harsh reality message” to his European counterparts.

“I came here directly from Kyiv, where air raid sirens sound fifteen times a day, shattering the illusion of calm,” Sybiha said, adding that he had come to the meeting as a kind of air raid warning.

Sybiha stressed that the war continuing in Europe does not take holidays and does not follow working hours, saying Europe must take urgent and decisive steps to end the war.

Sybiha said he presented the “bare mathematics” of the war at the meeting and grouped Ukraine’s demands under three main headings.

He listed them as countering Russia’s escalation and advancing peace efforts, weakening the Kremlin’s war economy, and strengthening Ukraine’s defense and resilience.

Sybiha argued that it must be shown that Russia’s escalation strategy brings Moscow no strategic gains and said Ukraine would continue to respond to Russian attacks.

“Ukraine will continue to deliver strong responses so that the reality of this war returns directly to Russian soil, because the closer this war gets to Russians, the sooner it will end,” Sybiha said.

Sybiha said Ukraine is also working to restore freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and protect global food stability, noting that these issues are also important for Europe’s security.

As a second priority, Sybiha called on the EU to increase economic pressure on Moscow. He argued that the European Union must apply “maximum and uncompromising pressure” without pauses that would allow Russia to adapt.

Sybiha said Ukraine presented proposals at the meeting on targeted anti-ballistic sanctions and restrictions against a large number of Russian entities, as well as concrete proposals regarding the Rassvet satellite system.

In addition to targeted sanctions, Sybiha called for a full EU embargo on Russian aluminum. He also urged increased pressure on Russia’s “shadow fleet,” bans on Rosatom and Roscosmos, and serious travel restrictions on Russian citizens due to acts of sabotage across Europe.

The third area Sybiha highlighted at the meeting was strengthening Ukraine’s defense capacity and resilience.

Sybiha said the most urgent need in this area is the delivery of air defense interceptors and said Ukraine had requested additional energy support packages ahead of the upcoming G7+ Ukraine Energy Meeting.

Sybiha said gaps in Ukraine’s defense financing must also be closed as soon as possible, arguing that Europe should not bear the financial burden alone.

“European taxpayers should not carry the financial burden alone when frozen Russian assets can fairly be used for this purpose,” Sybiha said, adding that he believes a solid legal solution can be found that addresses the concerns of different countries, ensures shared responsibility and minimizes risks.

Sybiha also said Ukraine is seeking rapid progress on opening the remaining negotiating clusters in its EU membership process.

“There is no real reason for delay,” Sybiha said, calling for progress in Ukraine’s negotiation process with the EU.

In the final part of his statement, Sybiha drew attention to the security threat facing Europe, arguing that Russia’s aggression is not limited to Ukraine alone.

“Let there be no doubt: Russia’s deliberate escalation targets not only Ukraine, but all of Europe,” Sybiha said, arguing that recent sabotage incidents across Europe also show that Moscow considers itself to be at war with Europe.

Sybiha said Russia is targeting Europe “whether Europe acknowledges it or not,” adding that the historic-scale threat requires an equally bold and united response.

Sybiha said Ukraine is ready to be one of the essential parts of the solution in this process and stressed the need for joint action with European countries.

At the end of his statement, Sybiha thanked EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee and EU allies for their support.

“I extend my deepest, most sincere gratitude for their steadfast support,” Sybiha said, noting that the support helps Ukraine continue its struggle for freedom.

Sybiha concluded his statement with the words: “Together, as a resilient European family, we will defend our shared values, defeat this aggression and secure a lasting, just peace for our continent.”