This was emphasised by the Chairperson of the Committee on Ukraine's integration into the EU, during her speech at COSAC — the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union, as well as Committees on European Affairs of Partner and Candidate Countries — held in Copenhagen.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stated that the people of Ukraine are deeply grateful to all the countries and societies that continue to support Ukraine today.

«But we are now at a critical and very difficult moment. Ukraine has endured a terrifying night. Including Kyiv — where my family lives — my daughters, my father, my husband. Like millions of Ukrainians, they were forced to shelter from russian missiles. Twelve and a half hours of uninterrupted air raid alerts. Five hundred and fifty means of destruction launched at peaceful civilians across the country,» she said.

According to Klympush-Tsintsadze, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, it felt as though Europe and the world had fundamentally changed — as though the heroism of Ukrainians had awakened the best of European instincts: compassion and solidarity in the face of evil. «At that time, the European community defended Ukraine’s fate with passion. But something has changed since then. Has the nature of this war changed? No, it has not. Have people themselves changed? I don’t believe so. Then why is it that fewer and fewer people in various countries support assistance to Ukraine?» the Committee Chairperson asked.

She noted that the prevailing narrative about the war in Ukraine has shifted. The once-inspiring story of a fearless David standing against Goliath has been replaced by another narrative — that «anything is better than this damned war.»

«And this narrative has been adopted by many global leaders — but it is both misleading and hypocritical. Let us consider why. Many believe that the occupation of Ukraine would bring an end to the bloodshed. But that is not true. The violence would not cease — it would simply move from the front lines and terrorist missile attacks on civilians to the camps and gulags that russia brings with it.

That so-called ‘anything’ that is supposedly better than war would mean surrendering one’s language, culture, and freedom. It would mean legitimizing murderers, rapists, and looters. This ‘anything’ would, in fact, pave the way for the greatest evil Europe has seen since Adolf Hitler,» emphasized Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

She reminded the audience that Ukrainians had warned Europe for decades about the threat posed by russia — but Europe did not listen. And many still do not. According to the Committee Chair, Ukraine will neither surrender nor capitulate, but if Ukraine falls, the Baltic states, Poland, or Finland could be next. «Why? Because history teaches us so, because russia itself says so. After the NATO Summit in The Hague, it became clear that Article 5 of the Alliance is no longer a guaranteed shield of security. russia now produces more weapons in three months than NATO countries do in a year. And because many Western societies are currently facing a crisis of self-definition,» said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

She noted that in June alone, russia launched more than 300 missiles, 5,000 guided bombs, and 5,000 drones against Ukraine: «For some, these are just numbers. But for us, they represent lost lives and shattered hopes.»

That is why, at a time when russia is intensifying its attacks on Ukraine and the United States is scaling back its assistance, the hope of the Ukrainian people lies with Europe — emphasized Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. According to her, the time has come for Europe to shift from a peacetime pace of weapons production and procurement to a wartime footing.

«And just as our Danish colleagues have demonstrated leadership, it is necessary to invest in Ukraine’s defence industry. It is also time to put an end to so-called ‘escalation management,’ because it is russia that drives this escalation — and it needs no pretext to do so,» stated the Chairperson of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU.

She argued that in order to preserve the social benefits and privileges that Europeans are accustomed to, the share of GDP allocated to defence must be increased to 5% — starting now. Moreover, every effort must be made to ensure that Ukraine becomes not only a temporary shield for Europe, but a fortress — a joint line of continental defence against russia.

«As surreal as it may sound, there is still a path to Ukraine’s victory — but only if Europe accepts this reality. Accepts that this is not just Ukraine’s war, but Europe’s as well. You are planning to be ready to defend yourselves by 2030. But do you truly have until 2030? Endless summits and declarations will not help. What will help is military strength — concrete numbers of military equipment delivered to Ukraine — especially now that the United States has even suspended the assistance it had previously promised,» said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

«russia cannot be talked into peace — it can only be compelled by strength. And I hope you will not allow Ukraine to be destroyed for its desire to live free. Our defence is your defence — both militarily and ideologically,» Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze concluded.