The Chair of the Committee stressed during the discussion of the Wilfried
Martens Centre for European Studies on the situation in Ukraine.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is convinced that Europe and the whole world
can and should do more to stop the genocide that Russia is committing
against the Ukrainian people. Ukraine needs assistance in three areas: the
provision of powerful weapons, the introduction of devastating sanctions
against Russia, as well as financial and humanitarian assistance to
Ukraine.
“We are pleased that the latest EU sanctions package finally includes the
issue of banning coal imports from Russia, but European politicians are
still moving slowly on sanctions. 800 million euros daily. This is how
much Europe has been paying Russia for energy since the beginning of the
war in Ukraine. Coal makes only 4% in this amount. This means that Russia
continues to receive a little less than 800 million a day from Europe.
Without these funds, the Russian economy would be much weaker, and it
would be much more difficult for Russia to wage the war”, the Chair of the
Committee said. She added that during the war in Ukraine, tectonic changes
have taken place in the policy of European states, but the pace of the aid
is still too slow: "Every day, every hour and minute is important to us. I
am surprised to hear that the leaders are discussing whether to provide
Ukraine with offensive or defense weapons. It hurts us Ukrainians to watch
such discussions. Because every weapon is protective for us. So that we
can protect ourselves and our statehood”.
In Europe, according to the Committee’s Chair, there is still no
understanding that the war in Ukraine is an attack on European values, the
lifestyle and human rights, which are enjoyed by every EU citizen:
"Unfortunately, many people in Europe take these things for granted. We,
Ukrainians, have known since 2014 that we need to fight for our rights”.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze warned that Putin's ultimate goal is not
Ukraine, but a change in the world order. She warned that if Ukraine
falls, the dictator's appetites will only grow: “Ukraine is not his
ultimate goal. Putin seeks to restore NATO's and the EU's pre-1997
borders. He made this clear. Therefore, either we will stop him together
here in Ukraine, or he will spread this war to other territories”.
The Chair of the Committee also called on European countries to turn off
Russian propaganda, which continues to be a mouthpiece for the terrorist
state in Europe. In France, for example, there are still 11 different
Russian media outlets. They must be banned. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is
convinced that other countries should stop fascist Russian propaganda as
well.