OPENING SPEECH - MARCH 19, 2024

Dear Secretary Austin, 

Distinguished colleagues,

Thank you for coming together once again to continue your support for Ukraine. Your support has been clear and consistent. With your support, Ukraine can succeed.

There are clear examples of our potential to win this fight. Since our last UDCG meeting, Ukraine shot down Russia’s 15 modern jet fighters. And another A-50 surveillance plane. Our forces destroyed 34000 enemy personnel, 670 tanks, 1000 armored vehicles, and 1100 artillery systems. This period has seen some of the most intense fighting since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. These numbers speak for themselves. 

In February, Ukrainian forces destroyed 75% of enemy drones, and in March, so far, more than 80%. This is a clear example of how the combination of your continued support, on one hand, and the dedication and experience of Ukrainian warriors, and on the other hand, saves thousands of lives and protects valuable infrastructure. 

Ukrainian forces have also been effective at sea. Our forces continued downsizing  the Russian navy. Our innovative sea drones destroyed Sergey Kotov, a warship capable of firing Kalibr cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine’s main needs remain unchanged. Ammunition. Air defense. UAVs. Electronic warfare systems. We must end Russia’s air and artillery superiority. 

As a consequence of their superiority in air and artillery, the Russians destroyed Avdiivka. They did so at a huge human cost, without any strategic benefits. But lives don’t matter for Putin’s regime. Thousands of troops are being sacrificed for political goals. Ukraine, on the contrary, strives to preserve the lives of Ukrainian warriors as much as possible. The Defense Forces of Ukraine decided to change positions. It was a difficult, but necessary decision. 

Ukrainian forces require long-range capability. To strike enemy logistics and infrastructure behind the frontline. 

This year, the Defense Forces of Ukraine effectively long-range missiles against enemy concentrations in Berdyansk and Henichesk. We urge our partners to not hesitate in providing Ukraine with powerful deep-strike systems that can penetrate enemy defenses. Our common future is at stake. We should not delay this important capability. I appeal to all partners that possess such crucial technology to make this important decision.

We are facing a ruthless enemy. It is not just the enemy of Ukraine, but of all of us here. The free world. The future of free and democratic states depends on your decisions. Brave Ukrainian soldiers and commanders are ready to do their part. To defeat our common enemy. And I believe you are ready to help get the job done.
 

CLOSING REMARKS - MARCH 19, 2024

Dear colleagues,

Dear friends,

Thank you for keeping our partnership strong. Thank you for establishing capability coalitions to address urging security needs. For making progress in each of the coalitions, for keeping our goals on track.

Thank you for speeding up your defense industrial base, your weapon and ammunition production.

Ukrainian forces have gained unparalleled battlefield experience defending against Russia — Europe's worst enemy. Ukrainian industry has the capability to innovate and adopt modern weapon systems to the needs of the battlefield. It is clear that with the right resources, with your support, we can win this fight.

Let me give you an example. In one of the hotspots of the frontline, Russian planes dropped between 5 and 60 heavy guided bombs per day. The tables have turned, when in a single day Ukrainian air defenders shot down three enemy bombers. They did so with the military assistance you provided. And that’s when the Russian bombings stopped. For more than 11 weeks. Finally, our troops were able to focus on their mission. Without having to worry about 500 or 1500 kilograms worth of explosives dropping on their heads.

By providing our troops with the air defense systems they need on the battlefield, we will deter the enemy and liberate our land. 

As we are preparing our response to the aggressor, let’s be mindful that Russia will not stop at Ukraine. If we allow Russia to succeed in Ukraine, it will only be a matter of time before Russian troops take further offensive action. And the cost will be much higher. 

To prevent this from happening, our efforts must remain in lockstep. The forefront units of free democracies must have everything they need to ensure the victory of the free world!