On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine – the war has now lasted a year. Politicians from the Volt party therefore have concrete demands on the EU.Image: dpa / Kay Nietfeld
guest post
In this guest post on the anniversary of the Ukraine war, politicians from the Volt party address the European Union and its citizens.
Damian Boeselager, Anastasiia Vozovych, Francesca Romana D’Antuono and Reinier van Lanschot
Exactly one year ago they were People in the Ukraine woken up by the sound of passing tanks and the deafening sound of airborne sirens warning them of the Russian missiles. They signaled to the Ukrainians what had been announced in previous years: The large-scale invasion of Russia has begun.
The Authors
The Volt party is a pan-European party, which means it exists in all European countries and works closely together across national borders. The guest article was written by Damian Boeselager, Member of the European Parliament for Volt Germany and Europe.
Anastasiia Vozovych, Co-Chair of Volt Ukraine.
Francesca Romana D’Antuono and Reinier van Lanschot, Co-Chairs of Volt Europe.
The rest of Europe also experienced a rude awakening: after decades of peace, the daily news revolved around battles and war crimes. Fighting in Ukraine between soldiers fighting for sovereignty on the one hand and imperial annexation on the other.
Outside Ukraine, Europe battled sanctions, rising energy prices and inflation, and the contradiction that the supply of weapons means the only chance of peace for Ukraine.
Damian Boeselager is a member of the European Parliament.Image: volts
Lesson from the war: Europe must unite
A year ago, Europe finally got down to reality: Putin will not back down. He will keep murdering senseless people when he’s not along Violence stopped and threatened with failure. We have to face this reality. By supporting Ukraine in the first place and building our own defense capabilities as part of a European army in the second place.
We must continue our efforts towards a full gas embargo from last year to make this war as expensive as possible for Putin. To welcome Ukrainians to Europe and help them with funds, weapons and equipment!
Anastasiia Vozovych is the Co-Chair of Volt Ukraine.Image: volts
This year has also shown that European peace is sustained by the people. All over Europe, people have shown solidarity and support for Ukraine in every way they can. From fundraising to protesting Russian aggression to holding politicians accountable: The broad commitment brought the urgently needed humanitarian aid, sanctions and arms deliveries.
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But there is still a lot to do: Europe needs to unite more urgently than ever! Although the war is still ongoing, we should start thinking now about rebuilding the country, reviving the Business and the economic and political integration of Ukraine into the European family. Then we would come a great deal closer to the common future of a united Europe.
We must work at a pan-European level for a Europe that can bring about meaningful changes that the world desperately needs. The last year has shown this more clearly than ever. And strengthened our resolve to push European policies in this direction at local, national and European levels. The challenges of our time, which are not only related to the war in Ukraine and limit its consequences, cannot be solved with purely national structures.
This is where the power of Europe-wide coordinated actions comes into play. By engaging local citizens and taking political action at all levels, it is possible to create a positive impact for Ukraine across national perspectives and interests. Our common values as European citizens unite us and give us the strength to support Ukraine.
Francesca Romana D’Antuono is one of Volt’s two European Presidents.Image: volts
Ukraine must be admitted to the EU quickly
Ukraine’s future lies in the EU: compliance with the Copenhagen criteria is not just about meeting the criteria expected of EU member states. The reform process is about improving Ukraine itself. And build a country where there is no place for corruption.
A European perspective together with civil society is highly desirable in Ukraine to ensure that this reform process is properly implemented. It is important to work intensively with Ukraine in order to gradually integrate the country into the EU institutions, structures and networks.
Much is from Russia been destroyed – why not rebuild it with a view to Ukraine’s European future? Let’s make sure that buildings and infrastructure comply with EU directives; let’s strengthen the links between Ukrainian and EU civil society; we promote European values.
Reinier van Lanschot is the Vice President of Volt Europe.Image: volts
Ukraine’s position is clear: it feels European and wants to be part of the European Union. It is now up to us, as established members, to support our family members in their struggle for a stable and European peace and to win the war against Russia.
Ukrainians deserve to live in energy efficient neighborhoods, drive on safe roads, breathe fresh air and feel safe wherever they go. This should be seen as one of the main reasons why Ukraine is fighting against the nonsense of the “Russian world”, which remains fundamentally opposed to all of the above.
Ukraine’s struggle for a European future must continue to be supported. From every point of the continent, until every Ukrainian has regained his and her right to peace, self-determination and democracy!
The Russian President apparently hoped for more: 70-year-old Vladimir Putin is sitting in an armchair on a Russian talk show and telling a joke. There is no big laughter, only a few polite laughs.
