Croatia continues to strongly support Ukraine - we stand for a just peace that must not reward the aggressor

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković participated in the Ukraine - South East Europe Summit in Odessa today. Along with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the summit was attended by heads of state or government of the countries of Southeast Europe. The previous such summit, hosted by Croatia, was held in Dubrovnik in October last year.

In his opening remarks at the beginning of the summit, Prime Minister Plenković emphasized that Odessa, where today's meeting took place, is a strong symbol of Ukrainian identity, openness, diversity, the European spirit, but also of the resilience and strength that Ukraine has shown in defending its country, freedom and the values ​​we share.
 
Croatia has strongly supported Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian aggression, the Prime Minister emphasized, and will continue to do so diplomatically, financially, economically, humanitarianly and militarily.
 
In the context of contributing to multilateral support for Ukraine, Prime Minister Plenković stated that Croatia has so far organized three major conferences - the first Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform, the first International Donor Conference for Humanitarian Demining of Ukraine, and the Ukraine - South East Europe Summit.
 
He announced that an International Conference on the Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration of Ukrainian Veterans will be held in Split in October this year.
 
On this occasion, he also emphasized Croatia's strong support for Ukraine on its path to the European Union.
 
He praised Ukraine's peace efforts, emphasizing that Croatia's position is clear - peace must be just, respect international law and must not reward the aggressor in terms of the loss of Ukrainian territory.
 
If this were allowed, he warned, it would be a terrible scenario for both Ukraine and the international order, as it would set dangerous precedents and send a message that the bullies prevail for possible future wars.
 
Croatia will support the proposal to expand the sanctions package against Russia, which is currently being prepared by the European Union, he said, because we believe that stronger pressure is needed.
 
Equally, he added, Croatia understands that Ukraine will not accept unrealistic ultimatums that are also demeaning in terms of Ukraine's international position.
 
Finally, he expressed his belief that all countries of Southeast Europe will continue to strongly support Ukraine.
 
Specific Croatian experience in processing war crimes, demining and peaceful reintegration
 
After the summit, a joint press conference of the leaders was held.
 
Prime Minister Plenković thanked President Zelensky for bringing them all together once again at the 4th Ukraine - South East Europe Summit.
 
He assessed the discussion at the meeting as meaningful, and he added that it was considered how to continue supporting Ukraine, which has been a victim of Russian aggression for more than three years now.
 
"As far as Croatia is concerned, we express solidarity and provide continuous diplomatic, economic, financial, humanitarian and military support," he said, adding that the Croatian government will continue to do so.
 
In the context of this overall support for Ukraine, the prime minister stated that Croatia's specific experience can be particularly useful in areas such as the prosecution of war crimes, humanitarian demining and care for war veterans.
 
The Croatian experience in the peaceful reintegration of previously occupied territories is also extremely significant.

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