Brussels.
Historic visit of the President of Ukraine to Brussels. But at the EU summit there was also criticism of the course of Zelenskyj’s trip.
Speaking in the EU Parliament, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy passionately campaigned for his country’s admission to the European Union: “This is our Europe, these are our rules, this is our way of life, and for Ukraine it is a way to Home, a way home,” said Zelenskyj in his speech to Parliament in Brussels. “We have a common European history,” emphasized the President. The vision of EU membership encouraged Ukraine to remain strong.
Russia, however, with its “total war” wants that European lifestyle destroy. The Kremlin is replacing the rule of law with the “rule of force”, gradually destroying the value of human life in Russia and trying to make xenophobia normal in Europe. Europe must answer with a small no: “No matter who we are, we always fight against this disregard, this lack of respect.”
Selenskyj was enthusiastically received by the MPs – he was celebrated several times with standing applause and cheers, and at the end the Ukrainian national anthem and the European anthem were played in parliament. Parliament President Roberta Metsola called Zelenskyj’s visit a “historic day for Europe” and promised: “The future of your nation is in the European Union.” delivery of weapons and ammunition, fuel and power, and “all the thousands of things we need in this brutal war.”
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Zelenskyj traveled to the EU summit together with Macron
After his performance, Zelenskyy took part in the EU summit of heads of state and government, which began behind closed doors in the morning in the strictly sealed Brussels Council building. After London and Paris, Brussels was the third and final stop his surprising journey to European capitals – it was the second time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine that the President has left his country.
The Ukrainian head of state traveled from Paris together with French President Emmanuel Macron. In Paris he had the night before at a dinner with Macron and the Chancellor Olaf Scholz also pushed for the supply of fighter jets. The military equipment must be delivered “as soon as possible,” he said. “It’s about weapons that are necessary for peace. The war that Russia has started must be stopped.”
Scholz promised him Support for as long as necessary, declaring again that “Russia must not win this war.” Macron went on rhetorically, pledging “support until victory”. However, France lags far behind Germany when it comes to specific aid, especially arms deliveries. On the fringes of the summit, Scholz emphasized that among the EU states, Germany is the country that “provides the most support when it comes to arms deliveries”.
Zelenskyj’s visit to Brussels: That’s the background
Zelenskyy’s visit is primarily symbolic: Almost a year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine’s affiliation with democratic Europe should be underscored – a European Union that stands unitedly by Ukraine’s side and gives Ukraine the prospect of accession. Chancellor Scholz said: “Ukraine is part of the European family.” It was not surprising that Zelenskyj was pushing for new, speedy arms assistance in view of a major Russian offensive expected in a few weeks. But he had probably not expected any new concrete commitments. So far, no western country is willing to oblige the Delivery of fighter jets to announce – the reluctance is articulated in different forms, from Germany’s clear no to statements by the British government, for example, to examine longer-term delivery and to prepare the training of Ukrainian pilots.
However, Ukraine doesn’t just need weapons: Zelenskyy also wanted to get the EU heads of government to promise him that his country would join the EU quickly. Here, too, the positions differ: the Ukrainian government was recently given the impression that Ukraine could within two years EU member become. That is considered impossible in Brussels. It is unclear whether at least the official accession negotiations will begin this year, which the government in Kyiv is pushing for.
Anger at Selenskyj’s meeting with Scholz and Macron in Paris
However, in the run-up to the summit, Selenskyj was able to see for himself how difficult it is to coordinate internally between the EU institutions and the 27 member states: his visit to Brussels was mainly at the instigation of EU Council President Charles Michel came about, which now fell to the role of host – although Michel and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had met with Zelenskyj in Kyiv for a summit just a week earlier and had already assured the continuation of aid for Ukraine there. There was therefore a discussion among EU diplomats as to what the aim of the Brussels meeting could be.
The fact that Zelensky’s visit, which was actually planned under strict secrecy, became known at the beginning of the week through an indiscretion at the head of the EU Parliament caused resentment. But Selenskyj’s special meeting with Macron and Scholz in Paris also clouded the mood for some summit participants. The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the Ukrainian President’s invitation to Paris “inappropriate”. The strength of the EU is community and unity, domestic affairs should not be at the expense of the cause.
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