Europe must understand that it cannot defend itself without Ukraine — Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze
26 November 2024, 09:45
The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, participated in the online discussion “After the US Elections: Building a Secure Europe in Cooperation with Ukraine,” organised by the Centre for Liberal Modernity.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that calls have recently been heard in the West for illusory negotiations between Ukraine and Russia instead of providing Ukraine with necessary support to defeat the aggressor. “There is still no clear understanding or definition among the allies regarding the desired outcome of the war. This sends a signal to both Russia and the future American leadership about the weakness of the West. Therefore, it is urgent to, firstly, review the tools we have been using so far, and secondly, to strategically define a clear goal,” said the Chair of the Committee. She is convinced that the election of Donald Trump as US President would compel Europe to reassess its security policy. The U.S. policy will become more focused on domestic issues, pushing Ukraine lower on the foreign policy agenda.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze called for joint efforts to convey to the newly elected U.S. leadership that regional security in Europe, in particular the war in Ukraine, has a direct impact on global security. “It is naive to hope to break Russia's connection with China by satisfying its demands in the war against Ukraine. This war is not just against Ukraine, but against the entire free world,” warned the Chair of the Committee. In her opinion, Europe’s lack of a unified security policy complicates this process. Despite the declaration of strategic autonomy, Europe has yet to achieve it. Moreover, European countries are still responding to many wartime challenges with peacetime tools: “It is time to recognise that this war with Russia is not only about the destruction of the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian people, not only about territories, but also about undermining the very foundations of Western civilisation. Only being aware of this, we will be able to give Russia an adequate and strong response.”
According to Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Europe now needs security autonomy and the political will more than ever. This must be achieved regardless of US policy, the future role of the United States, and NATO’s defence for Europe. “We need to invest in this. Europe must understand that it cannot defend itself without Ukraine – not only from a geographical point of view but also because the most combat-ready and trained military forces are now in Ukraine. Perhaps, it is time to consider Ukraine’s military integration into the EU, developing the defence industry jointly and investing in defence production,” the Chair of the Committee suggested.
On NATO, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is convinced that the West repeats a big mistake, believing that Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance is not timely. “Why refuse to implement something that you have not even tried? NATO is the only possible security framework for both Ukraine and Europe. This issue is being taken off the table just because someone said it was impossible. This is about leadership, about the ability to see the broader picture in the medium and long term,” the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU emphasised. She added that Ukraine’s membership in NATO should never be the subject of any bargaining or negotiations with the Russian Federation. Regarding the presence of EU troops in Ukraine, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze acknowledged the current lack of readiness. However, considering the unwillingness to invite Ukraine to NATO, the EU military presence in Ukraine and the expansion of the anti-nuclear umbrella to Ukrainian territory would be appropriate.
The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU called on European leaders and politicians not to abandon Ukraine and sacrifice Ukrainian lives for an illusory peace. Compromising values for temporary well-being will result for the West in losing both peace and well-being.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that calls have recently been heard in the West for illusory negotiations between Ukraine and Russia instead of providing Ukraine with necessary support to defeat the aggressor. “There is still no clear understanding or definition among the allies regarding the desired outcome of the war. This sends a signal to both Russia and the future American leadership about the weakness of the West. Therefore, it is urgent to, firstly, review the tools we have been using so far, and secondly, to strategically define a clear goal,” said the Chair of the Committee. She is convinced that the election of Donald Trump as US President would compel Europe to reassess its security policy. The U.S. policy will become more focused on domestic issues, pushing Ukraine lower on the foreign policy agenda.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze called for joint efforts to convey to the newly elected U.S. leadership that regional security in Europe, in particular the war in Ukraine, has a direct impact on global security. “It is naive to hope to break Russia's connection with China by satisfying its demands in the war against Ukraine. This war is not just against Ukraine, but against the entire free world,” warned the Chair of the Committee. In her opinion, Europe’s lack of a unified security policy complicates this process. Despite the declaration of strategic autonomy, Europe has yet to achieve it. Moreover, European countries are still responding to many wartime challenges with peacetime tools: “It is time to recognise that this war with Russia is not only about the destruction of the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian people, not only about territories, but also about undermining the very foundations of Western civilisation. Only being aware of this, we will be able to give Russia an adequate and strong response.”
According to Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Europe now needs security autonomy and the political will more than ever. This must be achieved regardless of US policy, the future role of the United States, and NATO’s defence for Europe. “We need to invest in this. Europe must understand that it cannot defend itself without Ukraine – not only from a geographical point of view but also because the most combat-ready and trained military forces are now in Ukraine. Perhaps, it is time to consider Ukraine’s military integration into the EU, developing the defence industry jointly and investing in defence production,” the Chair of the Committee suggested.
On NATO, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is convinced that the West repeats a big mistake, believing that Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance is not timely. “Why refuse to implement something that you have not even tried? NATO is the only possible security framework for both Ukraine and Europe. This issue is being taken off the table just because someone said it was impossible. This is about leadership, about the ability to see the broader picture in the medium and long term,” the Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU emphasised. She added that Ukraine’s membership in NATO should never be the subject of any bargaining or negotiations with the Russian Federation. Regarding the presence of EU troops in Ukraine, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze acknowledged the current lack of readiness. However, considering the unwillingness to invite Ukraine to NATO, the EU military presence in Ukraine and the expansion of the anti-nuclear umbrella to Ukrainian territory would be appropriate.
The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU called on European leaders and politicians not to abandon Ukraine and sacrifice Ukrainian lives for an illusory peace. Compromising values for temporary well-being will result for the West in losing both peace and well-being.