The West should apply sanctions against Russia every time it crosses the red line – Petro Poroshenko

“The price the Moscow pays for aggression should grow until it starts to respect the international law. And the sanctions are the tool of deterrence against the Kremlin that may force it to change its behavior,” President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko stated in his welcoming speech to the participants of the 10^th Kyiv Security Forum held by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine.

“We need strategic patience in order to restore peace and the rule of law. And it is necessary to apply sanctions against Russia every time it crosses the red line”, the President added.

Petro Poroshenko urged the West to wake up and realize that Russia was not going to cease its aggression policy: “The more we hesitate today, the big challenges we will face tomorrow. We need to be proactive and not simply respond to further provocative steps taken by the Moscow”.

“We should not be afraid of Russia, and we should not concede to it, either now or in the future. Let’s astonish Russia by our determination, by the strength of our unity, by our solidarity in the face of aggression”, the President of Ukraine urged.

In his opinion, the West should recognize that the security of Ukraine means the security of Europe and the security throughout the transatlantic community. “Providing Ukraine with modern equipment, including electronic equipment, antiradar system, would be an investment in our common security, not just security of our country”, - Petro Poroshenko added and reminded that Ukraine was fighting not only for its independence but also for the future of the free world.

The President of Ukraine thanked the organizers of the 10^th Kyiv Security Forum: “For these ten years the forum has been a platform for open discussions and a laboratory for new ideas. I am very grateful to Arseniy Yatsenyuk and his team for their good work in the interests of Ukraine”.

For reference:

Kyiv Security Forum was launched by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine in 2007 is an annual international event to high-level discussions on the current issues in the Black Sea region and wider Europe. The Forum aims at increasing security cooperation between the EU and the Black Sea region, raising awareness about regional developments among key regional players, promoting the role of independent and non-governmental actors in setting the security agenda in Europe.