Poroshenko: Europe needs to develop its defense industry
MP of Ukraine, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko, in an interview with the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, noted that public statements by the United States should be considered as part of the negotiation process. "Everything that matters so far is set out in the Crimean Declaration. Diplomacy says: nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. Public statements by Americans should be considered as part of the negotiations. The rules remain: nothing about Ukraine - without Ukraine. Nothing about Europe - without Europe. We must coordinate and come to Putin with an agreed position," the ex-president emphasized.
He noted that it is necessary to work to keep Washington on the side of Ukraine.
"Putin does not need Crimea or Donbas - he needs all of Ukraine, as well as the crisis within the Western democratic world. The United States cannot simply be ‘neutral’: it is either on the side of freedom, Ukraine, Europe - or on the side of the Russians. And the latter would be fatal. Therefore, we must continue to fight for the Americans. Without them, we are much weaker, there is no doubt about that. It would be a disaster. But even without them, we will not lose this war," the leader of the European Solidarity party believes.
He also called on European partners to direct their efforts to building the latest defense capabilities.
"Europe now needs to develop its defense industry. After more than three years of the drone war, the needs have changed. We do not just need more tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. First of all, we need air defense, electronic warfare systems, missiles and drones. It is very important that European sanctions are not eased," Poroshenko said.
He outlined the main conditions for achieving a just peace, emphasizing that there can be no concessions on issues of sovereignty, territorial integrity, armed forces, sanctions against Russia, Ukraine's membership in NATO, and democratic principles.