European security architecture must be based on liberation from Russian shackles of dependence, says Zelensky

He stated this in an address to the participants of the Prespa Forum Dialogue, Ukrinform reports.

"Any serious discussion of the security architecture in Europe must be based on the need to free Europe from the chains of dependence that the Russian state has been creating for decades. Security is simply impossible without it, and it is the same for the north of Europe, for the south, for the west and for the east," the Ukrainian leader said.

He noted, in particular, that such sanctions against Russia are needed for its anti-European policies, so that Russia will always remember the price, including for the food crisis.

"The one who creates artificial famine must become a global outcast and suffer painful losses. This should be taken into account in the preparation of the seventh EU sanctions package. And we need to realize that sanctions packages have, in fact, become part of the continent's security architecture. They work for stability and peace - limiting Russia's ability to expand aggression," Zelenskyy explained.

The president also stressed the need for Europe’s full energy independence from Russia.

He is also convinced that any ties with Russia that it exploits to make money in Europe and pursue anti-European policies must be severed.

"There can be no trade with Russia. You should not give money to those who seek your destruction," says Zelenskyy.

At the same time, he added that the main goal is to make the whole of Europe united at last.

"This is what Ukraine and your countries in the Western Balkans are equally interested in. Full-fledged European integration of Ukraine, as well as full-fledged European integration of your states, is a historic strengthening of Europe and a complete dismantling of Russia's ability to beat us one by one," the President stressed.

As Ukrinform reported, a meeting of the European Council is to take place in Brussels on June 23-24.