President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part online in the opening of the fifth annual Helsinki Security Forum. President of Finland Alexander Stubb and President of Moldova Maia Sandu are also participating in the event.
The Head of State thanked the organizers for the invitation and expressed special gratitude to the entire Finnish people, the President, the Prime Minister, and Finnish government officials for standing with Ukraine throughout nearly five years of the full-scale war and supporting our country with various forms of assistance.
During his conversation with the moderator, Director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs Hiski Haukkala, Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined several priorities for strengthening security based on Ukraine’s experience.
According to the President, the main security guarantee for Ukraine is our army, particularly its experience, morale, unity, and experienced and modern commanders.
“And we already have a new generation in our army – young people, young commanders who have grown up in this war. They rose from sergeants, soldiers, and junior officers to become colonels and generals. They were battalion commanders, they were brigade commanders, and they have become corps commanders – all during this full-scale war. So this is an experienced army. A highly technological army,” the President emphasized.
Another important factor is a modern defense-industrial complex and developed domestic defense production, including air defense systems. Resilience and preparedness for all possible challenges are also significant – decentralized energy infrastructure and a sufficient number of shelters.
Reliable international support and cooperation are important for strengthening Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that all of Europe, the United States, and many other countries began helping Ukraine after the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression.
“First and foremost, it is financial support. And technological support. Since the beginning of the war, we have received weapons that we did not have before, because they were NATO-standard weapons. And today, we are signing Drone Deals. We are signing agreements under which we are happy to share the experience we have today. And this is exclusive. It is only fair that we share it with the countries that are helping us and have helped us throughout the war,” the President noted.
At the same time, the Head of State considers EU and NATO membership to be strong security guarantees, such as those Finland already has.
“This is what Ukraine is counting on. Of course, I think this is a win-win for all of us, because Ukraine has such an army and such experience. And I believe that in the face of any threats, we strengthen both the EU and NATO, and as partners, bilaterally, we strengthen one another,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
According to the President, the main obstacle to Ukraine’s membership in the European Union is the Russian leader and the policy of present-day Russia under his leadership. His aggression against our country is aimed against Ukraine’s development and its geopolitical choice.
In the Head of State’s view, yesterday’s statements by the Russian ruler that “Ukraine is not an independent state, and it is other countries that are using Ukrainians to fight Russia” are a clear signal that the Russian leader’s goals remain unchanged. He wants Russia to regain the influence the Soviet Union once had, which also poses a threat to the Baltic states and countries that share borders with the Russian Federation.
“His goal is not the east of Ukraine. His goal is not Donbas. His goal is the occupation of our entire country. And what he said yesterday – that such a state does not exist – is yet another typical indication of what he wants, of his attitude, of whether he wants peace, whether he wants the war to end, and, even if he does, at what price,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President emphasized that the aggressor is always in a stronger position than the victim, and therefore the international community must defend any free state against such unjust aggression.
The Helsinki Security Forum (HSF) is an annual international forum on foreign and security policy that has been held in the Finnish capital since 2022. It was launched following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Each year, HSF brings together more than 350 senior officials, politicians, security and defense representatives, experts, academics, and media representatives.
The main theme of the 2026 Forum is Layers of Security. Participants are discussing how modern security can no longer be ensured by a single alliance, individual guarantee, or single strategy, but must instead be viewed as a combination of military, political, technological, economic, energy, and societal components.