Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged that Eastern Europeans had to be left behind and promised that sanctions would not go away.
The European Union does not consider scenarios for the easing of sanctions against Russia and will strongly support Ukraine in the war unleashed by the Kremlin. This was said by the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, speaking on Wednesday with a keynote address to the deputies of the European Parliament, on the eve of a trip to Kyiv. Russia has launched an attack on the European value system, but the European Union will reject this attack with common efforts, von der Leyen said. And in the evening, the EU announced that it had extended sanctions against Russia for another six months. Correspondent.net telling the details.
Sanctions don’t go anywhere. What the von der Leyen leader said
Through a message on the state of affairs in the European Union, the President of the European Commission addresses MEPs every year for twelve years now. Ursula von der Leyen acted in this capacity for the third time.
“This parliament has never before discussed the annual message against the scenario of a war raging on European soil,” the head of the European Commission, the EU’s main body, addressed the deputies. He was wearing clothes in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
He noted that it took years for the EU to find a solution to the financial crisis, weeks for the coronavirus pandemic, but in the event of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU’s reaction is “united , decisive and immediate.” “And we should be proud of it,” said the EC leader.
Ursula von der Leyen has no doubts about Ukraine’s bright future. “It is already a growing technology hub and home to many innovative young companies. So I want us to mobilize the full power of our single market to help drive growth and create opportunities,” he said.
The head of the EC recalled that in March Ukraine became part of the energy system of the European Union and now exports electricity to the EU. Also, import duties on Ukrainian goods have been suspended, and in the future Ukraine will enter the no-roaming zone with the European Union and in the future will be part of the EU single market.
However, tough times are still to come, von der Leyen said. “This is a war on our energy, a war on our economy, a war on our values and a war for our future. It is autocracy against democracy,” he said from the podium, noting that the European Union would leave that is successful. from this confrontation.
“I am convinced that thanks to courage and unity, Putin will fail and Europe will prevail. Today’s courage has a name. And that name is Ukraine,” he stressed.
According to the head of the EC: “The Russian financial sector is breathing its last. We have cut off three quarters of the banking sector from international markets. About a thousand international companies have left the country. The production of cars fell by three-quarters compared to last year. Russian industry is in ruins.”
In vain Brussels “did not listen to those who know Putin.” “We need to listen to voices within the EU – in Poland, in the Baltics, throughout Central and Eastern Europe,” he said and announced a new project of the European Political Community with the participation of the countries of the Western Balkans. , Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
“I want to make it clear: sanctions do not go anywhere. The time has come to show determination, not compromise,” Ursula von der Leyen warned.
Regarding support for citizens and businesses, Ursula von der Leyen told the media after her speech: “Today there is a proposal in the European Council and the European Parliament to provide financial support to member states, governments so that they can help vulnerable households and vulnerable It is intended to allocate approximately 140 billion euros.
Ursula von der Leyen’s speech divided the press
Europe has finally overcome its naivety towards Moscow, writes political scientist Keith Kasemets on the Estonian portal ERR Online. According to him, in Central Europe they realized that the previous policy with Russia had failed.
“And it’s not just on hold because of the war, but it has really changed – for many years to come. In her speech, Ursula von der Leyen admitted that Europe should have listened more to those who say Russia will not stop. It is necessary to listen to the opposition of Russia and Belarusian, the Baltic countries and Poland,” the expert believes.
However, many publications were disappointed with the speech of the head of the European Commission. Therefore, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung criticizes von der Leyen for the lack of statements about the needs of EU citizens.
“He can say that the EU will do everything possible to help its citizens, as it did during the financial crisis or the pandemic… But there is a lot of heroism about Ukraine… Then von der Leyen is not get the impression that he understood the prospects for Europe and its citizens.
The Belgian newspaper De Standaard wrote that the speech of the head of the European Commission did not inspire much hope for overcoming the energy crisis that arose due to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
“Again, promises were made about all kinds of mechanisms and negotiations, with the help of which it should reduce the price of energy. But at the moment, the interests inside and outside the EU are too different to give the impression that reaching a consensus is indeed a number one priority,” the newspaper wrote.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.