Colonel,
Thank you so much.
As I was saying to the Deputy Prime Minister previously and the Mayor earlier, Odessa is of great historical significance for us. And consequently, the future of this city and its people is part of our history, part of our past and hopefully it will be part of our common future.
I am really sorry for today’s attack; I saw the smoke. I was informed this morning that Odessa had been attacked. In our view, attacking a city is most unacceptable, it is a war crime.
I will convey to the Council of Ministers of the European Union what needs to be conveyed.
As I was walking around with the Mayor, I saw the preparations that have been made so that the cultural heritage of the city won’t be destroyed. I hope, when I come back, that the city will be intact, that it will not have suffered the slightest damages and that we will be able to provide assistance so that it has a bright future as it has a bright past.
As you know, we are members of NATO and the EU and we provide all the assistance we can to Ukraine in the framework of both these Organizations.
It has been a great pleasure and honor to meet you.