Zelenskyy announces Russia’s plans to seize Odesa: «We need protection»

During the «Ukraine — Southeastern Europe» summit held in Odesa on June 11, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the critical importance of defending the city and securing long-term safety guarantees for Ukraine. He stressed that Odesa is a city Russia aims to destroy and has extensive plans for.

Zelenskyy made these remarks during his speech at the summit.

Odesa — a target for Russia and a gateway to security

In his address in Odesa, President Zelenskyy warned of the threat of Russian destruction looming over the city.

«We are here in Odesa, a city that Russia wants to destroy, just as it has destroyed countless other cities. Russian military plans are directed at this region, and then toward the borders with Moldova and Romania, ” he emphasized.

The Head of State underscored the urgent need for defensive measures.

«Right now, we need protection. But even more, we need long-term guarantees that this will never happen again, ” Zelenskyy stated, highlighting the importance of not only immediate assistance but also a sustainable security framework for Ukraine’s future.

He also spoke about the geopolitical significance of Odesa.

«Odesa is a very important city for all of us, not only a symbol of southern Ukraine. It is a crossroads between Northern and Southern Europe, between the Balkans and the Caucasus, between European stability and the threats that undermine it. Odesa has always been a gateway, and today it is a gateway to our shared security, ” Zelenskyy said, underlining the city’s role as a key component of European and regional security.

The «Ukraine — Southeastern Europe» summit in Odesa served as a platform for addressing shared challenges and strengthening cooperation among regional countries amid ongoing Russian aggression.