The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, made an appeal this Wednesday to the parties of the European People’s Party to make “all to help Ukraine in the process of joining the European Union”, warning that the country “deserves a real opportunity”. At the end of the EPP Congress in Rotterdam, Von der Leyen acknowledges that there are “conditions” to be respected and that Kive has to complete the accession process, but always with the support of the Member States: “How quickly Ukraine will take its steps and it will make the necessary reforms, it depends on them; but it is up to us to support them during this process.”
Von der Leyen recalls that the Ukrainians “are fighting bravely because they know exactly what kind of future they want: to have a free society and to belong to a democratic community.” And he adds: “They are prepared to fight and, if necessary, die for it.”
In a speech focused on the war in Ukraine, the president of the European Commission said that the Russian president is trying to destroy European values and that, at this “defining moment”, it is necessary to “do everything to make sure that Putin fails.” ”. and freedom prevails”.
Von der Leyen also questioned the accusations that “the European Union is always late”, arguing that, in the case of Ukraine, Brussels proved the opposite: “The war started and on the 2nd, 4th, 6th we applied unprecedented massive sanctions for Russia. We have mobilized millions of euros to finance military equipment for Ukraine and we host 6 million refugees. And that is the best thing about Europe: being united, determined and proactive”.
Regarding the reconstruction of Ukraine, the president of the European Commission guarantees that the EU “will support Ukraine in the reconstruction” and that it will not do so out of “strategic interest”, but out of “a moral duty”. He subsequently recalled that the Commission will create a reconstruction platform that will gather not only funds from EU countries, but also from the US, Canada and entities such as the IMF or the G20.
Still on the financing of the reconstruction of Ukraine, Von der Leyen recalled that “one thing is clear: it was Putin who started this barbaric war” and, as responsible, “he has to pay the costs of his actions”. Therefore, argues the former German Defense Minister, “Putin and the oligarchs must contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on the oligarchs must contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine. It’s what’s fair.”
Von der Leyen also once again defended Europe’s energy independence, which must take into account the European Green Deal. And he left the appeal again: “We cannot depend on Russian fuels. Yesterday we banned Russian oil [no Conselho Europeu] and we prepare to ban gas.”
The President of the European Commission also saluted the courage of the EPP delegates, making a special mention of the former presidents of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko and Petro Poroshenko.
Source: Observadora
