In the “heart of European democracy” – as the leader of the European people Manfred Weber said when he welcomed compatriot Olaf Scholz to the European Parliament – Strasbourg; in the capital of the resistance to the Russian invasion, Kiev; and in the capital, where victory over Nazism is mistaken for an attempt to annex a neighboring country, Moscow, on the day when Europe or victory over Nazi Germany – that is, peace – is celebrated, was a common theme: the Ukraine.
Russia began celebrating the Victory Day of the Great Patriotic War at dawn with two volleys totaling 25 shots for neighboring Ukraine, either from ships in the Black Sea or from bombers from the Caspian Sea. According to Kiev authorities, 23 cruise missiles were intercepted, with the wreckage and the remainder causing little more than material damage. Fifteen of them were on their way to the capital.
Who arrived in Kiev shortly afterwards was the President of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen went to Ukraine for the fifth time since the invasion of February 24, 2022. Wearing a blue jacket, the leader made it a point to celebrate Europe Day in a symbolic way with those who aspire to yesterday’s European integration.
“On May 9, we celebrate peace and unity in Europe, remember the lessons of our history and commit ourselves to leaving a better future for future generations. May 9, dear Volodymyr,” said the President of the Commission, who also welcomed the decision of the Ukrainian government to also commemorate the date as Europe Day – after bringing forward the celebration of Victory Day by 24 hours, in line with the date on which the Allies commemorate the surrender of the Nazi regime .
Von der Leyen’s visit was not limited to a speech of solidarity. He showed support for the establishment of a tribunal for Russian crimes of aggression in Ukraine and discussed various topics. One of them showed the limits of European solidarity with neighboring countries – the export of grains and other agricultural products from Ukraine: five countries imposed bans or restrictions on Ukrainian products (which are exempt from customs duties). “Any restrictions on our exports are completely unacceptable at this point. They only enhance the capabilities of the aggressor,” said Zelensky, who also described the measures as “cruel”. Recognizing that she was dealing with a “difficult situation”, Ursula von der Leyen announced the creation of a coordination platform to ensure smooth grain transit.
“Now that we are here, in a pointlessly attacked country, some may think it is impossible, unlikely or too far away to speak of a free and peaceful Ukraine in the EU. But Europe is about making the impossible possible. And so is Europe . the Ukraine.” Ursula von der Leyen
Von der Leyen explained that the EU works on three levels of ammunition supply: shares of the Member States delivered or en route in exchange for a billion euros; equal value to acquire 155 and 152 millimeter ammunition; and an incentive to increase production and accelerate delivery.
On the same day, the European Parliament approved the Commission’s proposal to use €500 million from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) to invest in the munitions industry. The Ukrainian president thanked the initiative, but asked for speed. “The need to use them on the battlefield already exists.” It should be noted that the US has announced yet another military aid package, this one worth $1 billion and containing more munitions.
As for sanctions, the 11th package of which is devoted to combating evasion, he predicted that “advanced technology products or aircraft parts passing through Russia to third countries will no longer end up in the hands of the Kremlin”. The intention is to create an instrument to sanction companies that play this intermediary role.
“It is time to remove the artificial political uncertainty in relations between Ukraine and the EU. It is time to take a positive decision on the opening of Ukraine’s accession negotiations to the EU.” Volodymyr Zelensky
As for the accession process, Ukraine – which was granted candidate status last June – is working “tirelessly and intensively” on the seven dossiers in which it must complete reforms. An update will be sent to member states in June and a report will be presented to the European Council in October, the Commission President recalled, but Zelensky was impatient. “It is time to take a positive decision on opening negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the EU,” he said.
While Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal said in a cabinet meeting that he hoped his country would be ready to join the club within two years, Brussels believes talks could even begin this year, but the process will take six to ten years, according to AFP. to last.
“The message of May 9 does not come from Moscow but ours: the past will not triumph over the future. Our future is the European Union.” Olaf Scholtz
In Strasbourg, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz defended to MEPs an EU “enlarged, reformed and open to the future”, including the doors open to Ukraine, but also to Georgia and the so-called Western Balkans. A contrast to what happened 2,200 kilometers away, in Moscow, where “Putin paraded his soldiers, tanks and rockets”.
The head of the German executive asked Europeans not to fear these exhibitions and marked out the waters: “The future does not belong to the nostalgics, let alone the revisionists who dream of national glory or who yearn for imperial power.”
In the Russian capital, the leader led a less lavish military parade than the custom introduced in 1995 – and elevated to the moment of the greatest annual symbolism in the Putin regime. In front of war veterans, thousands of soldiers and seven leaders of former Soviet republics, the man who started the “special military operation” now says there is a war, but one unleashed against Russia. He told the army that “the future of the state and the people” depended on them, after calling for victory.
“Ukraine has been held hostage by a coup d’état and the criminal regime formed by Western masters.” Vladimir Putin
For Putin, “exorbitant ambitions, arrogance and indulgence” were the reasons that led to the “current catastrophe in Ukraine”, whose inhabitants have been held hostage by “a coup d’état and the criminal regime of their Western masters”.
To tarnish the celebratory moment, the head of the mercenaries went out to declare that “the state is incapable of defending Russia.” Yevgeny Prigozhin said that he had not yet received the promised ammunition and that the army abandoned Bakhmut. Not far from that city, journalist Arman Soldin, AFP’s video coordinator, was killed in a Russian bombing raid.
Source: DN
