Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze: “War is not a movie. This is a cruel reality in which our country lives”

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze met with the Head of Devision Ukraine and Moldova at the German Foreign Ministry Thomas Lenk.

She thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his leadership and strong support for Ukraine, including during the adoption of the historic decision to open negotiations with Ukraine. “I am very grateful to Chancellor Scholz, as well as to Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen and other leaders for the efforts they made to open negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU,” said the Chair of the Committee. She noted that this decision was not only crucial for Ukraine but was also strategically important for the European Union. She noted that there are many challenges ahead in the next stages. Therefore, Ukraine hopes for the support and expertise of European partners.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze expressed concern that Hungary may use the opportunity to slow down Ukraine's path to the EU more than once, considering the country's presidency of the EU Council for the next six months. She also expressed hope that the negotiating framework with the European Union will be agreed upon and adopted as soon as possible because the coming EU elections will distract the focus from Ukraine to internal problems.

The Chair of the Committee urged to support Ukraine with weapons because the lives of Ukrainians and the future of the country depends on it: “The world is watching this war online, like a movie. But this is not a movie. This is the daily cruel reality that our country lives in,” said the Chair of the Committee. She noted that Ukraine must not under any circumstances agree to Russia's terms because it will have no future and will simply cease to exist. Russia will use any opportunity to regroup and attack again.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze also urged for consistency of the sanctions against Russia and measures to ensure these sanctions are not violated. This primarily concerns the trade with the Russian Federation via third countries. She noted that Russia had earmarked for defence a third of its budget funds for the next year. According to the Chair of the Committee, this means that Ukraine and its allies must be even more united to be able to stay resilient and win.