20 June 2023, 15:05
The Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU held a meeting with the Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the National Assembly of France
The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna
Klympush-Tsintsadze and the Secretary of the Committee Valentyn
Nalyvaichenko met with Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade, the Chair of the
Committee on European Affairs of the National Assembly of France.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked the French colleague for another visit
to Ukraine and for all his efforts to ensure constant support of Ukraine
from France. Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade is the author of the resolution of
the French Parliament on the support of Ukraine. ‘I know how much effort
it takes to talk not only with politicians, but also with the society and
explain why Ukraine needs support. Thank you for this work and I hope that
it will be continued, because Ukraine still needs help,’ said the Chair of
the Committee.
The parties discussed the latest events in Ukraine. Ivanna
Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that currently a lot of hopes are placed on
Ukraine's counteroffensive. ‘But we should not only count on the
counteroffensive. Do not underestimate the Russian Federation. They have a
large army, they can continue to produce weapons and use what they already
have in stocks. The last two months — May and June — were difficult for
civilians in Ukraine. Russians attack our cities with all possible types
of weapons,’ said the Chair of the Committee. According to her, thanks to
the support that Ukraine receives from its partners, it is now able to
protect Kyiv, but, unfortunately, not all cities. ‘We need more Patriots,
more air defence equipment, as well as shells and missiles for air defence
and artillery systems. Prompt delivery is essential. The Russian
Federation must understand that it will not stop us by destroying our
cities and energy infrastructure. And we still need to repair damaged
energy infrastructure before the start of the next heating season,’ added
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
She also stated that she is extremely concerned about the world's slow
reaction to the terrible crime that the Russian Federation committed at
the Kakhovska HPP by blowing up a dam. ‘The scale of this environmental
crime, this man-made humanitarian disaster, in my opinion, is comparable
to the use of tactical nuclear weapons. But I do not see specific steps of
the West responding this crime. We requested the Ministry of Environmental
Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine to provide a list of all
damages that can be estimated now, but I think, we cannot yet comprehend
the full scale of the tragedy,’ said the Chair of the Committee.
Secretary of the Committee Valentyn Nalyvaichenko also reminded his French
colleague about numerous crimes committed by the Russian occupiers in
Ukraine. He urged to work on the creation of a Special International
Tribunal, which should bring to justice leaders of the Russian Federation
for the crime of aggression, as well as all those guilty of war crimes in
Ukraine.
Regarding European integration, the Chair of the Committee noted that
Ukraine is waiting for a verbal assessment from the European Commission
regarding the fulfilment of the seven conditions that accompanied the
granting of candidate status. This assessment will help to finalise
everything that is needed to open negotiations on EU membership at the end
of the year. ‘The opening of negotiations ensures increased attention to
the country that started this process. We now need this attention and
strengthened cooperation,’ said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
Regarding Euro-Atlantic integration, she stated that Ukraine wants to
receive a very clear signal about joining NATO already at the Vilnius
summit next month. The Chair of the Committee is convinced that Ukraine
should follow the same path that allowed Finland to join the Alliance and
that is also followed by Sweden. ‘Without Ukraine in NATO, there
will be no lasting peace on the continent. We understand that Ukraine
cannot join NATO until the war is over. We also understand that Russia
will use this to prolong the war. If Ukraine receives a stronger message
at the Vilnius summit, not only Ukraine will benefit, but also the
security of the whole of Europe,’ Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said.