Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, made this statement during her speech at COSAC – the Conference of EU Affairs Committees of EU member states, partner countries, and candidate countries, held in Copenhagen.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasized that Ukrainians are deeply grateful for the assistance provided by all states and societies that support Ukraine today. “But we are facing an extremely important and difficult moment. Ukraine went through a dreadful night — including Kyiv, where my daughters, my husband, my father and my family live. Like millions of Ukrainians, they were hiding from Russian missiles. Twelve and a half hours of uninterrupted air raid alerts. 550 deadly weapons launched at civilians across the country,” she said.

She recalled that, in the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, it seemed that Europe and the world had fundamentally changed. The heroism of Ukrainians appeared to awaken Europe’s best instincts — compassion and solidarity in the face of evil. “At that time, the European community passionately defended Ukraine’s future. But something has changed. Has the nature of this war changed? No, it has not. Have people changed? I don’t believe so. Then why are fewer and fewer people in different countries supporting assistance to Ukraine?” the Committee Chair asked.
She pointed out that the narrative surrounding the war in Ukraine has shifted. The inspiring story of a fearless David standing up to Goliath has been replaced by a different narrative — that “anything is better than this damned war.” “And many world leaders have adopted this narrative. But it is misleading and hypocritical. Let’s be honest: many believe that the occupation of Ukraine would end the bloodshed. But that is not true. The killing would simply move from the frontlines and civilian attacks to the camps and gulags that Russia brings with it. That so-called ‘anything’ means abandoning our language, culture, and freedom — accepting murderers, rapists, and looters. This ‘anything’ actually paves the way for the worst evil the world has seen since Adolf Hitler,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze warned.

She reminded the audience that Ukrainians had been warning Europe for decades about the threat posed by Russia — but Europe did not listen. And many still do not. Ukraine, she stressed, will not surrender or capitulate. But if Ukraine falls, the Baltic states, Poland, or Finland could be next. “Why? Because history tells us so, because Russia says so. And because, after the NATO Summit in The Hague, it has become clear that Article 5 is no longer a true guarantee of security. Russia produces more weapons in three months than NATO countries do in a year. And because most Western societies are now facing a crisis of self-identity,” she said.

She noted that in June alone, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 300 missiles, 5,000 guided bombs, and 5,000 drones. “To some, these are just numbers. To us — they are lost lives and shattered hopes.” In this context, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that as Russia escalates its attacks and the United States reduces its support, Ukraine’s hope lies with Europe. “It is time for Europe to shift from a peacetime pace of weapons production and procurement to a wartime mode,” she said. She praised Denmark for setting an example by investing in military production in Ukraine and urged others to follow it. She also called for an end to so-called “escalation management,” as Russia is the one escalating the war and needs no pretext to do so.

To preserve the social benefits and privileges that Europeans are accustomed to, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze believes it is necessary to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP.
And Ukraine must become not just a temporary shield, but a fortress — a joint defence of the continent against Russia. “As surreal as it may sound — there is still a path to Ukrainian victory. But only if Europe acknowledges reality. Acknowledges that this is not just Ukraine’s war — it is Europe’s war too. You plan to be ready to defend yourselves by 2030. But do you have time until 2030? Endless summits and statements won’t help. What will help is military power, real numbers of weapons sent to Ukraine — especially now that the U.S. has suspended even the aid it had previously pledged,” she stated.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze added that while Europe should seek ways to re-engage the United States, it must also proceed based on the understanding that the U.S. may not be a reliable partner in the near future. She urged the EU to significantly tighten sanctions against Russia:
“Every euro spent on Russian goods is a bullet in a Ukrainian soldier or a missile or drone fired at Ukrainian civilians.”

Finally, she emphasized that no one wants peace more than Ukraine — but Ukraine will not let the Kremlin decide its fate. “These so-called negotiations are nothing but deception. The only thing Russia is truly willing to discuss is Ukraine’s surrender. Russia cannot be talked into peace — only forced into it. And I hope you will not let Ukraine be destroyed for daring to be free. Our defence — is your defence. Both militarily and ideologically,” she concluded.