Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze: “The free world must give a powerful rebuff to those who encroach on the very foundations of democracy”

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU took part in the discussion “Prediction of the future of democracy” of the 27th conference of Forum 2000.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze recalled the words of EU High Representative Josep Borrell, who noted that the old world order is no longer there. The world is moving towards autocracies. Sometimes in democratic countries, these autocracies are dressed in democratic costumes. The world is shifting towards right-wing radicalism. But despite all this, as the EU's chief diplomat noted, it is impossible to exchange values for material things — for food, electricity, energy sources and social security. Values and material things should go hand in hand.

The Chair of the Committee thanked everyone who has been standing next to Ukraine it its fight against the enemy. “I also want to remind you that we have been ringing the bell since 2014, warning that values must be fought for. They may not be taken for granted. They must be defended. Unfortunately, we were not heard. Perhaps listened to, but not heard. That's why I'm glad that the world has woken up and understands that we must resist autocracies and protect the right of free countries to defend themselves and their values and define their future,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. At the same time, according to her, democratic states should remain committed. There is war fatigue and a certain shift of attention towards everyday problems. “But we have to understand that if we do not protect basic values, there will be nothing to build. Other social values are a consequence and an advantage of democracy, and not the other way around,” said the Chair of the Committee. When everyone is discussing fatigue, according to her, Ukrainians simply have no right to be tired, because they must fight to exist, to survive and to have a future. “Yesterday, a foreign colleague told me that he is tired, but he gets extra energy from Ukrainians. Well, it is not easy for us. Because our lives, the lives of the nation, the lives of each of us and our families are at stake. To achieve success, we must simultaneously carry out reforms and fight for the support of Ukraine,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

She insisted that the free world should give a strong rebuff to those who encroach on the very foundations of democracy. Sometimes it is a technological counteroffensive, sometimes it is an economic or a military one. “We should not be afraid. There is a thin line when democracies show weakness, believing that they can achieve something through negotiations and convincing those who do not need and do not hear any arguments. Therefore, it is about our strength and readiness to defend what we believe in,” said the Chair of the Committee.