Providing security guarantees to Ukraine and the prospects for its membership in the European Union were the main topics of a press briefing held at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center by members of the delegation of the interparliamentary network United for Ukraine (U4U).
Mr. Rihards Kols (Latvia), Member of the European Parliament, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and member of the U4U Steering Committee, called the situation surrounding the peace talks Putin’s rosy dream.
“We have been observing this since 2014. We saw Minsk-1, Minsk-2, and therefore European leaders need to define their capabilities. This is not just a gentleman’s agreement. It is either an agreement or something that can be enforced. When it comes to security guarantees, this should be massive military support for Ukraine. In Latvia, there are many questions about where the military support is,” he said.
Mr. Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Estonian Parliament, focused on the definition of the very concept of security guarantees.
“This means that we are ready to start a war against the Russian Federation. Are we ready? We must be ready. As NATO, we have Article 5, and we have made a promise to each other that any country that tries to attack us or will attack us will be defeated by our joint efforts, and we will defend ourselves,” the politician assured.
In addition to efforts to continue military support for Ukraine, it is important to develop cooperation with Ukrainian companies. This was emphasized by Ms. Ann-Sophie Alm, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee (Sweden).
“We cannot purchase all the military aid that may be needed; we also have to produce what Ukraine needs. And I am very pleased that the Ministry of Defense of my country, Sweden, has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and decided that we should work together and produce the necessary weapons for Ukraine in Sweden. In this way, we can help Ukraine,” she explained.
Deputy Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the United for Ukraine network, Mr. Žygimantas Pavilionis, noted that the issue of Ukraine’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance has not been removed from the agenda, but that this requires active advocacy in political circles, which is what the U4U network participants will be doing.
“Let’s fight for this invitation,” the deputy urged. “Sometimes it takes time, sometimes effort, sometimes money, but let’s move forward on this path. We will do this in every state in America. Who, if not Ukraine, deserves this place in NATO, because Ukrainians are now dying for our independence,” said Mr. Žygimantas Pavilionis.
The actions of the members of the interparliamentary network United for Ukraine are aimed not only at lobbying, but also at raising awareness in their own countries. Ms. Sarah Nanni, spokesperson for defense issues for the Alliance 90/The Greens faction in the Bundestag (Germany), acknowledged that German journalists sometimes still need to be explained what is happening in this war.
“But that’s the reality. I talk to a lot of journalists every time we return, not only after visits to Ukraine, but also when I visit the Baltic countries, so that we have a common understanding of the threat hanging over us, as Europeans. So, this interparliamentary work opens up discussions about our democracies, and the leaders of democracy listen to the people,” said Sara Nanni.
Mr. Ferenc Gelencsér, member of the Hungarian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, believes that the current threats require European leaders to make difficult decisions.
“Look at Moldova, Serbia, Hungary, look at Brexit. Come on, guys. We are at war with the Russian Federation. And we didn’t start it. The real question is when will we realize this? And when will we stop being afraid to say that yes, we were attacked, we were invaded. We are already getting there. We have decided to increase defense budgets to 5%. Let’s see if we achieve this and when. We have a chance. Even though we have, of course, a pleasant consumer life. And, of course, politicians are trying not to make sacrifices, but sacrifices must be made,” the Hungarian politician emphasized.
The issue of responsibility for war crimes was raised by Mr. Pablo Hispán (Spain), President of the European People’s Party in the Council of Europe. He announced that the Council of Europe had prepared an initiative for a special tribunal.
“This is a clear message that this war will end in the same way that World War II ended with a tribunal, as did the crimes in Yugoslavia. That is, those who commit crimes are now being punished. And I think this should strengthen Ukraine’s position,” Mr. Pablo Hispán is convinced.
Regarding Ukraine’s prospects for EU membership, the guests noted that, in addition to external threats, there are also internal risks that Ukrainians must overcome. Mr. Rihards Kols spoke about this in more detail.
“The first chapters of the negotiations will be the most difficult. These are fundamental rights. Ukraine must take this seriously. Unfortunately, we are receiving signals of a rollback on these values. We saw this in July, when amendments to anti-corruption institutions were proposed. And this is a very slippery slope. It should be noted that we are not the only ones watching Ukraine. Those who do not wish you well are also watching, looking for opportunities to exert negative influence and damage Ukraine’s reputation in Europe. And this is something that needs to be taken very seriously,” warned the MEP.
The United for Ukraine (U4U) network brings together more than 200 parliamentarians from 30 countries around the world. Its priorities are to resolve the issue of arms supplies, strengthen sanctions against Russia, rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure and economy, and promote Ukraine’s European integration. As an interparliamentary alliance, United for Ukraine not only helps Ukraine win, but also has a clear goal — to do everything necessary to make Ukraine a member of NATO and the EU.