Ukraine needs our support more urgently than ever. With its massive airstrikes, the Russian regime is placing all of its bets on escalation. In the past week alone, Putin's barrage of missile attacks has claimed the lives of over 150 innocent people and injured many more – people who wanted nothing more than to live in peace and freedom. Every day, Putin reminds us once again that freedom and security in Europe can no longer be taken for granted. Europe’s defence begins with Ukraine – but it does not end there. We, too, are in the crosshairs.

That is why I am meeting our close friends from Poland, Norway and the UK in Warsaw today at the Warsaw Security Forum. We are steadfast supporters of Ukraine and are strengthening our collective security and defence capabilities within NATO. Together, we are shouldering responsibility to ensure that Europe's freedom is defended by us, as Europeans.

Now is the time to increase the pressure on Russia, rather than letting our guard down. Yesterday, therefore, we came together with our EU partners to launch the most extensive sanctions to date in the history of the EU. These sanctions target companies and individuals vital for Russia's war effort, including drone manufacturers, producers of ballistic missiles and their executives. This makes one thing clear to Putin: his attempts to divide us or undermine our confidence will fail. Together with my European colleagues, we are sending a clear message from Warsaw to Moscow: Europe is capable of taking action and stands united behind Ukraine.