"We have to be strong": Zelenskyy says 80% of the price of war is paid by Ukraine and Europe

European countries should participate in negotiations on peace in Ukraine. Europe has provided our country with enormous military assistance to resist the aggressor. If we calculate the so-called price of war in percentage terms, the EU and Ukraine have paid 80%.

This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 13 during a visit to the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant. He insists on Europe's participation in the negotiations.

"I believe that Europeans should be at the negotiating table. We are part of Europe and we will definitely be members of the EU. European countries have helped us a lot," the President said.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the assistance of every European country and the United States was vital for Ukraine. However, speaking pragmatically, the United States' contribution to the defense of our country is 20% of the total.

"We have to start talking pragmatically about who gave how much. Each of these aid, from every country in Europe and the United States, was very vital for us. But today, 80% of the price of the war is paid by Ukraine and Europe, and 20% is the contribution of the United States. It is very important, but it is true. Therefore, we cannot say that Europe does not support us, Europe supports us very much," the President said.

At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the United States is the main donor to Ukraine's defense, but it is not entirely fair to compare America with Europe.

"America is definitely the most important donor, if we compare it with any country in the world, they have given us the most, and we are grateful for that. But you cannot compare America with Europe, it would not be very fair. These are two of our allies, and Europe has invested a lot. They helped us a lot and continue to help us," the President said.

According to the Head of State, European leaders have serious concerns that there is no place for them at the negotiating table to end Russia's war against Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian authorities are interested in Europe's participation in the dialogue.

"There is a serious concern in Europe that they do not yet see signals from the US that they have a seat at the table. I mean, everyone understands that America, Ukraine, and Russia is the format of the negotiations, but where is Europe? I am also very interested in Europe being there," Zelenskyy said.

According to the president, it is impossible to predict how the negotiations will go today, but "we must be strong."

"We have already gone through Normandy and Minsk, and I believe that we have no right to go into this river, and it was quite dirty, and therefore we will be very careful. We need allies and fair partners at the moment when we will end the hot stage of this war," the Head of State emphasized.

The President also said that today he would speak with several European leaders. There will also be meetings in Munich tomorrow.

Zelenskyy emphasized that "the main thing is that everything does not go according to Putin's plan."

"When he wants to do everything to make sure that his negotiations are bilateral – he is from the United States – we simply will not be able to accept any agreements as an independent country without us. And I articulate this very clearly to our partners. We will not accept any bilateral negotiations on Ukraine without us. This is important because we want to come out with a victory for the people. First of all, it is a sustainable peace for Ukrainians," the President emphasized.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Zelenskyy said what security guarantees for Ukraine he discussed with Trump. According to him, if the United States does not want Ukraine to join NATO, such guarantees may be different, but more expensive – in particular, in the form of deploying 100 thousand foreign troops on Ukrainian territory.

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