Address by the President at the Closing of the German–Ukrainian Economic Forum

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Thank you very much!

Dear Friedrich, first and foremost, Mr. Chancellor!

Dear representatives of German companies, dear representatives of German industry!

Dear friends!

Thank you for your attention and support for Ukraine - we truly value it. Germany's support for Ukraine at this time - a time that is extremely difficult and decisive, a time of war - for our defense and for our recovery after Russia's strikes, is truly leadership-level support in Europe. It is a very significant level of assistance. Thank you! If Germany had been indifferent, Europe would not have been able to stand up to this evil that Russia has brought to our land. And it is a historic result that you chose the side of normal life, the side of Europe, the side of democracy, and that you are helping to defend against Russia's aggression - an imperialist aggression, absolutely unjust. Your assistance to Ukraine and to the Ukrainian people - the support of Germany as a state, Germany as a leading economy, and Germany above all as people who care about what happens nearby in Europe - truly keeps history on the right course. We deeply appreciate that after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, German companies did not shy away and continued their work in Ukraine. We are grateful that you preserved jobs, and we are grateful that you maintained support for people. Work is a great source of support. Thank you. This is extremely important. We want to express our gratitude - and I personally want to thank every German company, every business leader, and everyone in Germany for this.

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Yesterday and today here in Berlin, we held consultations with the American side. This was also a very important conversation. Berlin today is a kind of center for such crucial diplomatic decisions. We always have conversations like this - they are not easy, to be honest. But this discussion was productive, with a great many details. What matters is that significant time is being devoted to this dialogue. And I thank you, Friedrich - you and your team - for organizing all these opportunities. Our teams are working. The level of attention to this is, without question, very serious. Of course, we are moving point by point, defining the steps that are needed to ensure that peace is dignified. This is important for us - dignity for Ukrainians. That is why there is an important word we focus on very often: dignity. This is what stopped Russia. These are the kind of people Ukrainians are.

And we continue our diplomacy aimed at ending the war. We must meet and work to create dignified conditions for bringing the war to an end. We must not forget where this war came to Europe from, who brought it, and who is taking absolutely just actions to defend against this war. European unity is truly restoring justice to the situation.

I am confident that Germany will continue to stand with us, and I am deeply grateful personally to the Chancellor - Friedrich - and to the majority of Germany's political community for ensuring that this year we have the necessary support and the necessary assistance. It is also very important that, at a time of such a war, Ukraine is not only asking for assistance and support, but is also offering joint projects - projects you have already been discussing today - joint production, and joint outcomes that can strengthen both us and you, first and foremost technologically. Of course, the top priority today is defense production, and we are doing our utmost to ensure that our defense technologies stay ahead and deliver results for our warriors on the battlefield - practical results. It is here in Berlin that we are preparing one of the first offices that will focus on arms exports and joint production projects with your country, with Germany. It is Germany that is one of our largest trading partners in Europe, and I am confident this will remain the case in the future. And this is one of the key tasks of the Ukrainian government - to attract more companies and more contracts with Germany. This brings together not only our economy and Germany's, but also lays the foundation for even deeper interaction within the European Union, as it inevitably involves neighboring countries as well. The Ukrainian community in Germany is one of the most integrated. And these are hundreds of thousands of people who respect the country that has given them refuge. I want to thank you for the assistance provided to our people - for your support, strong and important support, for jobs, and for the many different forms of help. Thank you for this, and thank you for your clear support for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

Dear friends!

While various diplomatic processes are underway, including negotiations that may bring the end of the war closer, we must not forget that the strikes of this war - Russia's aggression - continue every day. Putin uses the brutality of these strikes as leverage in the negotiation process. For many months, the primary targets of Russian drone and missile attacks have been our energy facilities. In fact, there is now not a single operational power plant in Ukraine that has not been damaged by Russian strikes. But we are fighting on, restoring, working, bringing electricity back to people, and bringing life back as best we can. This is a difficult - a very difficult - process. And it is truly hard to withstand the terrorist pressure that Russia applies on a daily basis. But our people are doing it. After every strike, we try to restore everything as quickly as possible, and for this we need continued support from the German government as well. And most importantly, we need support for our air defense infrastructure. This is critically important. I thank German companies for the very strong assistance they are providing to us, working together with the government. You know what is very important in Germany, and what we have always been able to rely on: if Germany says something, if Germany makes a promise, it is delivered on time. We value this highly. Thank you.

Our ability to recover after strikes, our ability to produce weapons and to strike back, our ability to shoot down Russian missiles and drones - believe me, these are our additional levers in negotiations, additional levers in diplomacy. In this context as well, we view Germany's clear position on frozen Russian assets - assets that are located right here, largely within the territory of the European Union. These funds must genuinely and fully be put to work to defend against Russia's aggression. This is fair, it is reasonable, and it will work. It is important that Germany supports this. Every decision that strengthens Ukraine and strengthens our Europe is a way to bring the end of the war closer. It is a way to convince Russia that their goals are unattainable. Peace must be attainable, and only cooperation can bring it closer - our cooperation, and cooperation of all our partners. But real partners - not paper ones, but truly strong partners. For the sake of each of us, and therefore for the sake of our shared ability to live normally - to live in safety.

I would like to thank you once again for organizing this forum. Thank you for the invitation. Thank you, Friedrich - dear Mr. Chancellor.

Glory to Ukraine!

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ph	Working Visit of the President of Ukraine to Germany 14 December 2025 - 17:45