Croatian PM: We must ensure that Ukraine holds fair talks from position of strength, not necessity
Ukraine must be supported to establish a new balance of power that will force Russia to negotiate and put an end to its aggression, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has said on Wednesday.
"In order for Ukraine to negotiate fairly, we must ensure that it does so from a position of strength, not necessity. Our own experience has taught us that. Restoring the balance of power and war on our soil led to peace. Today Ukraine must be supported to establish a new balance of power that will force Russia to negotiate and put an end to its aggression," he said in his opening remarks at the Ukraine-South East Europe Summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of today's summit and continued assistance to Ukraine. Separately, he reiterated that the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine can only be based on international law, including the UN Charter.
"We fully support President [of Ukraine Volodymyr] Zelenskyy's Peace Plan as well as the outcome of the Peace Summit held in Switzerland. Achieving peace usually and ultimately requires the participation of all parties," he said.
According to Plenković, support for Ukraine is "not just help in the current crisis, it is an investment in a safer world and a more stable future for Europe and our children."
"Thanks to the heroism of the Ukrainian people and their leadership, as well as our strong determination to help them, I have no doubt that Ukraine will win," he said.
The Prime Minister also said that countries should not allow new aggression and cannot "passively observe what is happening, as it concerns our own security."
"We are all well aware that in Southeastern Europe, Russia uses political, economic and intelligence channels to destabilize individual countries, contributing to division and insecurity," he said.