Plenković in Kiew in ukrainischer Sprache: "Russland wollte einfach mehr Territorium, das ist ein klares und schwerwiegendes Unrecht"

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković addressed a gathering in Kyiv on Wednesday, speaking partly in Ukrainian during his sixth visit to the city since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The meeting took place amid celebrations marking Ukraine’s Day of Statehood and the fifth summit of the Ukraine-Southeast Europe format. Plenković emphasized Croatia’s solidarity with Ukraine, describing the situation as a “clear and heavy injustice” faced by the country due to Russian aggression. He highlighted the resilience of Ukrainians over centuries of war and attempts to erase their identity and historical presence. The Croatian leader praised the determination of the Ukrainian people, visible throughout the nation, from soldiers defending the country to teachers educating under bombardment, doctors, and volunteers. He paid tribute to fallen soldiers and civilian victims, noting that Croatia understands Ukraine because it too had been through a similar experience 35 years earlier. “We recognize injustice when we see it,” he said, adding that what has happened to Ukraine for so long is a clear, undeniable, and heavy injustice. Plenković stated that Ukraine was not responsible for the war nor did Europe provoke it. He argued there is no other explanation than the tragic reality that the world’s largest territorial state simply wanted more territory for itself. Referring to Russia, he stressed that Ukraine and other candidate countries must seize the current moment, as enlargement has returned to focus within the European Union. This new political atmosphere, along with the arrival of a new government in Hungary following Viktor Orbán’s administration, which had unjustifiably blocked Kyiv’s accession process, allows Ukraine to open its first cluster of negotiations, according to Plenković. However, he cautioned that the accession process must remain based on merit to ensure that countries entering the European Union are truly prepared for membership. Following the summit, Plenković posted on X expressing satisfaction with his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. He noted that Croatia will continue to strongly support Ukraine, which has resisted Russian aggression for four and a half years, protecting both its freedom and the security of Europe. In a detailed statement, Plenković outlined continued political, economic, energy, and military support for Ukraine, including sharing experiences from Croatia’s Homeland War, such as humanitarian demining, processing war crimes, caring for veterans, and peaceful reintegration of occupied areas. He emphasized further intensification of cooperation between Croatian and Ukrainian defense industries. Discussions also included additional EU sanctions targeting Russia to increase pressure and international efforts toward achieving peace and providing security guarantees in case of a ceasefire agreement. He congratulated Zelensky on Ukraine’s progress in the accession process after opening two negotiation clusters. Plenković reiterated that Ukraine deserves a clear European perspective, and Croatia will persist in supporting this goal together with Ukraine. His remarks came amid ongoing discussions about Ukraine’s path toward EU membership, with several Eastern European nations advocating for accelerated integration processes. The summit also focused on strengthening regional partnerships and addressing shared challenges, particularly in the context of Russia’s prolonged conflict with Ukraine. In addition to political and strategic discussions, reports emerged of severe damage in Croatia caused by recent storms, with olive groves and vineyards set ablaze and homes destroyed. These developments underscore the broader impact of extreme weather events on the region, drawing attention to environmental vulnerabilities and the need for disaster preparedness measures. Plenković’s visit to Kyiv reinforced Croatia’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, aligning with broader European unity against Russian aggression. His statements reflected a growing consensus among Western allies regarding the necessity of sustained support for Ukraine’s defense and eventual integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. As negotiations continue, the focus remains on ensuring Ukraine’s readiness for EU membership while maintaining pressure on Russia through diplomatic and economic means.