Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

The delegation of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU participated in the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC). This Conference brings together the EU affairs committees of national Parliaments, as well as Members of the European Parliament and European integration.

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze began her address to European colleagues with words of gratitude for the help and for not overlooking the brutal, cruel war that Russia continues to wage against Ukraine. “I want to note that while preparing for this speech, I felt pain and despair. What other new information can I convey to you so that at least in this hall everyone understands that this war is our common war? That it is our joint task to stop a monster that is trying to erase my land from the world map? And while we were all preparing for this meeting, sad news came from my home country. Two hypersonic missiles, 4 tons each, were launched over Kyiv. Thank God we still have the tools you gave us, and our air defences shot those missiles down. But how long should it last?” said the Chair of the Committee. She noted that it is difficult for Ukraine to present arguments to its partners every time to convince them of the importance of military aid because these arguments are about the lost lives of Ukrainians. “I don't know what else I have to tell you — how many Ukrainian lives were taken by these terrorist attacks, or what civil and energy infrastructure were damaged? How many cities, villages, churches, objects of cultural heritage were destroyed? How many months in total did we spend in bomb shelters with our children? Shall I show you a photo of children who died with their parents from the attacks of the Russian Federation? What else do I have to show you and tell you so that you understand that this is not a war game, as it may seem to some in the West? This is a real war, cruel, brutal, in which we live every day,” emphasised Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

She noted that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians live without electricity after the recent attacks. Millions are at risk of a total blackout. “Perhaps it would be better for all of us to watch “20 days in Mariupol” documentary together? Not to learn something new, but to understand what this “Russian mir” entails. And if we don't stop it together, it will spread to you, to your peaceful European countries,” said the Chair of the Committee. According to her, it is very important not to get used to the war, not to close eyes to what is happening in Ukraine. And to focus on specific actions to provide Ukraine with the help it needs. “I understand that the time of emotional diplomacy is over. And that it's natural for people not to focus on things that don't directly concern them. But we suffer from Russian attacks every day. We wake up to sirens and explosions and hide in bomb shelters with our children. We continue to donate as much as we can to support our Armed Forces. We can stop the Russian monster with our courage, but with the help of your tools we can ensure that this monster does not come to your societies,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU urged to continue providing Ukraine with military aid, to ensure that Russian assets are not just frozen, but directed to help Ukraine. According to Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, messages are sometimes heard from European politicians that Europe needs time to understand that it is at war: “We are in the eleventh year of the war, the third year of the full-scale war. How much more time does Europe need to understand this? And your future will depend on whether we win or lose the war. Russia will pass through your lands, take the lives of your citizens and everything that is important to you.” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is sure that the time has come for Europe to prove that it cares about what it declares. “That you care about democracy, the rule of law, the international order based on respect and the law, basic human rights. It's time to act,” she said. The Chair of the Committee called on COSAC participants, forming strategic and security goals for the next 5 years, to take care of providing Ukraine with all the defence tools it needs. “In the long term, this will ensure the security and independence of the European Union,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.