Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), Russia’s war against Ukraine and the need for continuous EU support for Ukraine has again come under the spotlight for MEPs.
The topic was debated by the European Parliament.
S&D leader Iratxe García reaffirmed the EU’s “full support for Ukraine, denounced Russia’s violation of international law and the UN Charter, and condemned the collusion of right-wing extremists with Orbán.”
The Spaniard said, “We are witnessing the complicity of the far right in this Parliament with Putin.
“A few days ago, the most visible head of the new group of false Patriots, Orbán, met with Putin to defame the European Union, to proclaim that he has a peace plan that nobody knows about and to promote Russian expansionism.
“Are the Russian bombings of innocent human beings the values upheld by false Patriots and tyrants who violate international law and ally themselves with Putin?
“We will support Ukraine until Putin stops his crimes with the confiscation of the 200 billion euros of Russian public assets tied up for its armament and reconstruction.
“And we will support Ukraine until its aspirations to decide its own destiny as a member of the European Union are realised.”
The MEP added, “The Ukrainian people have chosen democracy, freedom and independence over those who want to destroy them. And for all of this, the Ukrainian people have chosen that their future lies in the European Union.
“We represent a generation of Europeans who have always seen the European project as a beacon of freedom, economic progress and social justice. Against the group of false Patriots, let us unite the democratic and pro-European forces and work tirelessly for the Ukrainian people to live free from fear and threats, to live in security and peace.”
Her comments are broadly endorsed by Roberta Metsola, newly re-elected as parliament president.
She said, “We have learnt that we can never take democracy for granted. We have seen that our European values are regarded by too many as a threat. It is a badge given to us by autocrats that we will continue to wear proudly.
“The Russian war of aggression against sovereign Ukraine remains at the top of our agenda. I went to Kyiv in your name at the outbreak of the war. It was a visit that gave new impetus to our House, new visibility and influence. This House helped put the political spotlight on the need to stand with Ukraine and that light is one that people rely on us to keep shining as brightly as it can be.”
She added, “We will be called upon to do more. We must be ready to go beyond what is comfortable and do what is necessary.”
In a debate on the issue, ECR co leader Joachim Brudziński reiterated his conservative group’s “full and unwavering support for the country under attack from Russia.”
He pointed to Poland, “which has made great efforts across society to take in Ukrainian refugees and provide military support to Ukraine.
“If Putin is not defeated militarily, Russian weapons will soon be on the EU’s borders, threatening its heartland,”
Brudziński said.
He pointed out: “We face a choice: do we just want an end to this war or do we want Ukraine to win? A Ukrainian defeat will lead to a battle-hardened and war-hungry Russian army reaching our borders.
“If this happens, Russia will immediately escalate the threat by deploying nuclear weapons and troops right on our borders. As a result, Russia will mobilise its forces, consolidate control, and prepare for another invasion.”
