Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili addressed the 3rd Crimea Platform Summit on Wednesday saying Europe’s unity and resolve are “crucial for Ukraine’s victory, it is no less crucial for the future security of Georgia and Moldova.”

In her speech, the President expressed hope that Georgia will receive the candidate status and rejoin Ukraine and Moldova.

Below is her full speech:

Mr. President, dear Volodymyr, Dear Ukrainian friends,

It is an honor for me to once again join you on this crucial day to reiterate, in the name of Georgia and the Georgian people, the assurance of our full support and solidarity.

This Summit once again convenes in the backdrop of Ukraine’s now 18-month-long resistance against the latest example of Russian military aggression. This war is the continuation of Russia’s unwavering attempts to divide, occupy, conquer, threaten her neighbours, and is in line with the historical modus operandi of imperial powers.

What should have been outlawed in today’s Europe, has tragically re-emerged and against this barbarian anachronism, Ukraine is fighting not only for its independence and sovereignty but for the entire Europe’s freedom and security. This war has once again demonstrated the global importance of the region – solidified the argument that the Black Sea is definitely an indivisible part of European stability and security – a sea that cannot be left to the control of a power that is ready for its own militaristic ambitions to challenge maritime security and free transit and to disrupt global food deliveries.

This war is showing once again that the stability and security of Europe are unattainable without extending to the entire continent, from Lisbon to Tbilisi. It also demonstrates that the de-occupation of all territories is an absolute prerequisite to peace and stability, to ensure that Russia renounces imperial behavior and thus, the only stable foundation for a new and sound European security architecture.

As Ukraine faces a conflict that is of a scale not seen on the continent since World War II, Europe will continue to demonstrate its unwavering support and unity around Ukraine as it has done so since February 2022. This unity and resolve are crucial for Ukraine’s victory, it is no less crucial for the future security of Georgia and Moldova.

Confronted with a new wave of pressures, threats, and multifold provocations, tantamount to a hybrid war, our people have demonstrated their clear resolve to further solidify our country’s European integration path and to be faithful to their one and only perspective. Thus, it is my conviction that Georgia should, and my hope is that Georgia will receive the candidate status and rejoin Ukraine and Moldova on our common accelerated path towards European integration. Russia should not be let to believe that it can counterbalance its losses in Ukraine by face-saving gains elsewhere.

Dear President Zelenskyy, I want to reiterate my conviction that through the perseverance of your people, Ukraine has already to a great extent and will fully emerge victorious from this barbaric war, regain its territories, and become a pillar of tomorrow’s secure and prosperous Europe.

Georgia will be with you then as it is now.

Long live independent Ukraine!”