BELGIUM (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Russia’s war on Ukraine and the need for continued EU support for Ukraine have once again caught the attention of MEPs.
This topic was discussed in the European Parliament.
S&D leader Irace Garcia reaffirmed the EU’s “full support for Ukraine”, condemned Russia’s violations of international law and the UN Charter, and accused Orban of complicity with right-wing extremists.
The Spaniard said: “We are witnessing in this parliament the far right colluding with Putin.
“A few days ago, Orban, the most prominent leader of the new group of fake patriots, met with Putin, slandering the European Union, declaring a peace plan that no one knows about, and encouraging Russian expansionism.
“Is Russia’s bombing of innocent people a violation of international law and the values defended by false patriots and tyrants allied with Putin?
“We will support Ukraine until Putin stops his crimes by confiscating €200 billion of Russian state assets that were used for military and reconstruction.
“And we will support Ukraine until its aspirations to determine its own destiny as part of the European Union are realized.”
The MEP said: “The Ukrainian people have chosen democracy, freedom and independence over those who want to destroy them. And for all 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. Let us unite democratic and pro-European forces against the hordes of false patriots and work tirelessly to ensure that the Ukrainian people can live in safety and peace, free from fear and threats.”
Her comments received widespread support from Roberta Mesola, who was recently re-elected as parliamentary president.
She said: “We have learned that we cannot take democracy for granted. We have seen that our European values are seen as a threat by too many. It is a badge given to us by dictators and we will continue to wear it proudly.
“Russia’s war of aggression against sovereign Ukraine remains the most important issue on our agenda. I went to Kiev in your name when the war broke out. It was a visit that gave new impetus, new visibility and influence to our House. This House helped draw political attention to the need to stand with Ukraine, and that light is the light that people expect us to shine as brightly as possible.”
“We will be asked to do more,” she added. “We have to be prepared to go beyond what is comfortable and do what is necessary.”
In a debate on the issue, ECR co-chair Joachim Brudzinski reiterated his conservative group’s “full and unwavering support for countries under Russian aggression.”
He pointed to Poland, which “has made enormous efforts across society to accept Ukrainian refugees and provide military support to Ukraine.”
“If Putin is not defeated militarily, Russian weapons will soon reach the EU’s borders and threaten the heart of the EU.”
Brudzinski said.
He noted: “We are faced with a choice: Do we simply want to end this war, or do we want Ukraine to win? If Ukraine loses, battle-hardened, war-starved Russian troops will reach our borders.
“If this happens, Russia will immediately escalate the threat by deploying nuclear weapons and military forces right on our borders. As a result, Russia will mobilize its military, strengthen control, and prepare for another invasion.”
