The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU stated
this during an interview for a German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Ivanna
Klympush-Tsintsadze believes that the International Criminal Court's
warrant for the arrest of Russian President Putin is only the beginning of
establishing justice: ‘Today we have 14.000 documented cases of forced
deportation of Ukrainian children. We must make every effort — at the
level of international organisations, non-governmental activists and
everyone who can help — to return Ukrainian children home. This is not
only a war crime. The kidnapping and deportation of Ukrainian children
from their families is an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people...
We want to be sure that Putin and his henchmen will be brought to
justice’.
She added that everyone who committed war crimes in Ukraine must be
punished. A Special International Tribunal should be established to bring
Russian President Putin to justice for committing the crime of aggression,
because it cannot be done within the jurisdiction of the International
Criminal Court. ‘We also hope that all member states of the Rome Statute
will take Putin's arrest warrant seriously and, as we have already heard
from the German Minister of Justice, Putin’s international movement will
be restricted. This warrant will make those who continue to support Putin
think twice,’ said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s integration into the EU emphasised
that it is critically important to guarantee a very quick effective supply
of the weapons that have already been promised to Ukraine. This will give
Ukrainians, in addition to courage and bravery, real tools to protect
their land and to liberate occupied territories: ‘We cannot achieve this
without the support of our Western partners. They — both at the level of
political elites and the society — should be aware of the risks that
Russia poses for them as well. It is not only about Ukraine. It is about
an international order. The Russian Federation attempts to establish a
completely different order, where international borders can be changed
forcibly and impunity for committed crimes reigns. Realising this is a key
to the long-term support of the West’.
Regarding the European integration of Ukraine, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze
is convinced that it is important to honestly communicate this issue with
the society. Do not cherish unrealistic dreams of ultra-fast membership in
the EU but focus on step-by-step work: ‘At the same time, I consider it an
ambitious and realistic goal to open negotiations on joining the EU
already at the end of this year. And this is where we need to focus our
efforts...I am sure that the transformations on Ukraine's path to the EU
will guarantee transformation for better’.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze expressed confidence that the courage and
incredible ability to mobilise Ukrainian society will be further supported
by the West, and the support will be prompt and timely: ‘So that we get
the tools to defend ourselves and liberate our land’. She is also sure
that the war will end with the victory of Ukraine.
Watch the interview