Dear Mihaj,

Dear Minister Nosatîi,

Dear Secretary General Comănescu,

Dear colleagues, friends,

I am honored to speak at the opening of the Black Sea Security Conference.

I am addressing you online because the military situation once again requires me to be in Kyiv today.

It is important that our conference is held in Moldova, as the country is among those affected by restricted navigation, disrupted supply chains, and maritime insecurity in the Black Sea.

Last December, I also took part in another important forum in Romania, where we addressed the security challenges facing our Black Sea region.

This framework of discussions is in our best interests. I am grateful to Moldova and Romania for cooperation here. After all, we speak about how we get benefits. And why it starts with security. 

Despite the developments in the Middle East, it is important that Europe and our closest allies stay focused on Ukraine, developments in our region and Black Sea. Because it is where our security is being decided.

At the same time, the war in the Middle East shows how closely Black Sea security is linked to global maritime security. The same challenges appear in different regions.

Today, Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz sound familiar. Aggressors use similar methods. Russia did the same in the Black Sea four years ago, when it blocked maritime trade to weaken our economy.

Back then, Turkey played a decisive role in establishing a functioning corridor. Corridor of survival. But Russia showed no regard for global food security.

Russia has sought and continues to seek to weaponize food security and blackmail the world with the threat of famine.

Its goal was to destabilize global markets. As always, it broke every agreement.

We responded and found solutions. Ukraine has built strong expertise in coastal defense. This expertise is based on innovative solutions, first and foremost – our drones and our unique skills and experience.

With virtually no navy of our own, we built one using drones. Through effective action, we were able to drive back the Russian Black Sea Fleet and reopen shipping lanes. The operation to liberate Zmiinyi Island and the island itself have already become legendary.

We are ready to share our knowledge.

Dear friends,

The European Union’s Black Sea Strategy is an important step forward. It is right that its first pillar is security. Because without security, there can be no prosperity.

As a future EU member and a contributor to European security, Ukraine will play an important role in implementing this strategy.

Today, I will make three remarks. 

First, we must restore peace and return freedom of navigation to the Black Sea. The Black Sea must once again become a sea of peace and security, with secure maritime routes and functioning supply chains restored.

Today, however, it has become a sea of Russian war.

Over the past month, Odesa port infrastructure has faced more Russian attacks than during the entire previous year. This escalation must be met with a strong and decisive response. Pressure on Russia is essential. We must compel the Kremlin to halt its aggression, agree to a ceasefire, and engage in real diplomacy. Russia must stop its attacks on maritime infrastructure, especially ports.

It is a significant achievement that the EU Black Sea Strategy places demining among its top priorities. Ukraine stands ready to join the demining coalition.

Only last year, Russia stole over two million tonnes of Ukrainian grain from occupied territories and sold it to markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe. Nearly forty percent went to Egypt.

We need decisive action now—sanctions on the ships involved, on the infrastructure behind them, and on those who buy this stolen grain.

This is not only about food security. It is also about cutting funding for Russia’s war.

Second, security guarantees for Ukraine must include maritime security.

There are several countries ready to play a key role in building security in the Black Sea region. These include Turkey, Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria. We should also remember the choice of the Georgian people — a choice in favor of Europe, democracy, and security.

Security in the Black Sea is in our hands. Our unity and determination are the key to deterring Russia.

Yes, Ukraine is ready to cooperate and share its experience with Black Sea partners. This will strengthen regional security, and I hope this conference will help define concrete steps.

But we must be honest: only a strong presence of our allies in the Black Sea can prevent future Russian aggression.

Lasting peace in the region requires not only boots of our allies on our ground, but also ships of our allies in our waters.

This brings me to my third point—long-term deterrence.

The liberation of Crimea is the only way to ensure lasting security in the Black Sea region.

There can be no stable trade in a sea where a militarized peninsula, controlled by an aggressive state, sits at its center.

Russia used Crimea to launch its full-scale invasion. It still uses the occupied Crimean territory to attack continental Ukraine. And it could use it to threaten other countries in the region.

The only solution is the full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

It all started with Crimea – and must end with Crimea. 

Crimea is Ukraine. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Black Sea region has great potential, in particular, the development of oil and gas fields on the continental shelf. 

Ukraine’s and Moldova’s future EU membership will expand Europe’s access to the Black Sea and create new opportunities.

But everything starts with security.

We need decisive actions.

We need an ambitious enlargement policy. 

In the Black Sea, Europe has a real chance to show that it is a strong geopolitical actor.

For this matter we need to look at Black Sea within a wider geopolitical perspective. 

What happens in the Black Sea, echoes in the Baltic Sea. 

Because our security is indivisible. 

And that is how we must view it — as a single security space, an axis from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

Today, our relations with relevant Nordic countries create all conditions for it. There is a Three Sea Initiative, we have to build on it. 

We must also view the Black Sea as a cost-effective and vital route for non-Russian energy supplies from the East to Europe.

All this is about our prosperity and common benefits. But it starts with security.

Thank you. I wish you productive discussions.