Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze: “At a time when Russia is stepping up attacks on Ukraine and the US is cutting aid, our hope is in Europe”
The Chairperson of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU emphasized this while speaking at COSAC, the conference of the Committees on European Affairs of the EU Member States and on European Integration of the partner countries and candidate countries for EU accession, which is taking place in Copenhagen.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said that Ukrainians are very grateful for the assistance of all the states and societies that support Ukraine today. “But now we are at a very important and difficult moment. When we were returning to our cozy hotel rooms in Copenhagen yesterday, Ukraine was going through a terrible night. Including Kyiv, where my family lives – daughters, father, husband. They, like millions of Ukrainians, were hiding from Russian missiles. Twelve and a half hours of almost continuous air raid sirens. 550 weapons flew at peaceful people all over the country last night,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. According to her, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, it seemed that Europe and the world had completely changed. It seemed that the heroism of the Ukrainians awakened the best European instincts – compassion and solidarity in confronting evil. “At that time, the European community defended the fate of Ukraine with such passion. But something has changed since then. But has the nature of this war changed? “No, it hasn’t changed. Has the essence of people changed since then? I don’t think so. So what is the reason that fewer and fewer people in different countries support aid to Ukraine?” the Committee Chairperson said.
She noted that the narrative about the war in Ukraine has changed. The inspiring story of the fearless David against Goliath has given way to another narrative — that “what is better than a damned war?” “And this narrative has been picked up by many leaders in the world, but it is deceptive and hypocritical. Let’s find out why. Many believe that the occupation of Ukraine will stop the bloodshed. But this is not the case. The bloodshed will move from the front lines and terrorist attacks on civilians to the camps and gulags that Russia is bringing with it. And that “whatever it takes,” which is supposedly better than war, will mean giving up your language, culture, freedom, and recognizing murderers, rapists, and marauders. This “whatever it takes” is really giving way to the worst evil since Adolf Hitler,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasized.
She recalled that Ukrainians have been warning Europe for decades about the dangers of Russia, but Europe did not listen. And many still do not listen. Ukraine, according to the head of the Committee, will not give in and will not capitulate, but if it falls, the Baltic States, Poland or Finland could be next: “Why? Because history teaches us this, because Russia itself says so. After the NATO summit in The Hague, it became obvious that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Alliance is no longer a guarantee of security. Russia produces more weapons in three months than NATO countries produce in a year. And because most Western societies are now experiencing a crisis of self-determination,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. She reported that in June alone, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than three missiles, five thousand guided bombs and five thousand drones: “For some, these are just numbers, but for us, these are lost lives and hopes.”
Therefore, at a time when Russia is increasing its attacks on Ukraine, and the United States is cutting off aid, Ukrainians’ hope is for Europe, says Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. According to her, it is time for Europe to switch from peaceful rates of production and purchase of weapons to military ones. “And just as our Danish colleagues have shown an example, we need to invest in military production in Ukraine. We also need to stop the so-called “escalation management”, because Russia itself is carrying out this escalation. It does not need any reason to do so,” said the Chairperson of the Committee on the Integration of Ukraine into the EU. She is convinced that in order to preserve the social privileges and benefits that Europeans are accustomed to, it is necessary to increase the share of GDP for defense to 5% right now. And also to do everything so that Ukraine becomes not only a temporary shield for Europe, but also a fortress that will be the joint defense of the continent from Russia.
“As surreal as it may sound, today there is still a path to victory for Ukraine, but only if Europe recognizes this reality. Recognizes that this is not only Ukraine’s war, but its war too. You plan to be ready to protect yourselves by 2030. But do you have this time before 2030? Caravans of summits and statements will not help. Military power, real figures of military equipment sent to Ukraine will help, especially when the US has suspended even the aid promised so far,” said the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU.
According to her, when looking for ways to attract America again, it is necessary to act based on the fact that the States will not be with Europe in the near future. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze also called for a significant increase in sanctions against Russia. “Every euro spent on a Russian product is a bullet for a Ukrainian soldier, or a missile or drone for Ukrainian civilians,” she said.
The head of the Committee on Ukraine’s integration into the EU also noted that no one wants peace more than Ukraine, but Ukraine will not allow the Kremlin to decide its fate. And the so-called negotiations that are currently underway are just a delusion. The only thing that Russia is really ready to discuss is Ukraine’s capitulation. “Russia cannot be persuaded to peace by chatter. It can only be attracted to peace by force. And I hope that you will not allow Ukraine to be destroyed for its desire to be free. Our defense is your defense. Both militarily and ideologically,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze concluded.
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