Europe this year recognizes its safety depends on Ukraine - Ukrainian Foreign Minister

According to Sybiha, European countries were forced to reassess their own role and responsibility for the security and stability of the continent amid growing threats from Russia.

He reminded that Ukraine has long called on its partners to reach a new level of mobilization - diplomatic, political, economic, and defense-industrial - amid an existential threat from Russia.

“The awakening of European defense industries and military-political circles began earlier, but 2025 truly became a turning and defining year,” the minister noted.

Among the key factors, he mentioned the shift in US policy, the intensification of hybrid threats and provocations from Russia, as well as Ukraine’s systematic work with European governments.

Sybiha welcomed the EU’s steps to strengthen Europe’s independence, strategic autonomy, and self-sufficiency. According to him, an important decision was to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, as well as the possibility, provided by the NATO summit decision in The Hague, to allocate these funds to support Ukraine in countering Russian aggression.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that Ukraine is already an integral part of the new European security architecture due to its army, which possesses unique combat experience, technologies, and specialists.

“The future European security system is only possible with Ukraine’s participation. This year, this understanding has been firmly established in key European capitals,” Sybiha concluded.

Europe’s security is at stake

As is known, the European Commission recognizes that the continent’s security currently depends on Ukraine’s resilience against the aggressor. That is why European leaders have expressed clear support for a peaceful resolution, promised security guarantees to Ukraine, and provided defense assistance, among other measures.

The EU is monitoring every step Ukraine takes and has pledged to continue pressuring the Kremlin to weaken the common enemy, as Moscow intensified provocations in Europe this year - beginning with a massive violation of Poland’s airspace by Russian drones in September.

Afterward, Russian drones began entering other European countries, disrupting airport operations and spreading fear across Europe, most of whose countries are NATO members.

European nations have repeatedly scrambled their fighter jets to prevent potential drone attacks. Subsequently, the EU decided to build a drone defense wall along the bloc’s eastern flank.

Later, media reports began to emerge that Europe is preparing for a possible war with Russia. Countries have started strengthening their defense and armed forces at an accelerated pace.