Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal said today in Zagreb that the Ukrainian government is cautiously optimistic about the new American administration, from which it expects support.
After meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, he told reporters that official Kiev is cautiously optimistic about new US President Donald Trump's promises to quickly end the war in Ukraine.
According to him, Ukraine has no intention of losing the war and has increased its weapons production and military capacities six times since the beginning of the conflict, the Hina agency reported.
Šmihal emphasized that the relationship with the new American administration will be based on the pragmatic interests of the United States.
"We expect support, but we are counting on ourselves, together with Europe," the Ukrainian Prime Minister emphasized.
He assessed that it is in the US interest to force Russia to a just and lasting peace. This includes, he added, a sovereign Ukraine within internationally recognized borders, but also reparations, because the aggressor must pay.
"The path to peace leads through force, through military pressure and the expansion of sanctions," added the Ukrainian Prime Minister, who is on an official visit to Croatia.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said he does not believe in any kind of peace that would reward the aggressor.
"I choose only a just peace, I do not believe in any peace that will reward the aggressor," said the Croatian Prime Minister.
He assessed that at the global level there are leaders who will declaratively say that they are "for peace" and those who advocate a "just peace".
"Would we be satisfied with Croatia today without Vukovar, without Petrinja, without Knin, Beli Manastir?" the Prime Minister asked.
He emphasized that Croatia, as a victim of Greater Serbia's aggression, perhaps best understands the position Ukraine finds itself in today among EU members.
The Croatian Prime Minister assessed that any failure by Ukraine would pose a major security risk for Europe and announced continued assistance to Ukraine.
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