During her working visit to Berlin, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU, appeared on DW News. Live on air, she emphasized the need to increase military aid to Ukraine and mobilize additional resources in Europe.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze insisted that russian dictator Putin only understands the language of unity and pressure, and only then will he back down. "It is very important to force him to change his behavior by striking at vulnerable points, making it painful for the russian federation. I do not think that providing Ukraine with weapons such as Tomahawk missiles will be seen as an attack by NATO. This is just part of russia's bluff," she said.
When asked by the host whether the EU could become a strong, reliable partner for Ukraine against the backdrop of changes in US foreign policy, the committee chair noted that the European Union has undergone a rapid “maturing” process over the past three years since the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "Europe is taking on more responsibility and realising that this is not just about relations between russia and Ukraine. Ukraine stands in the way of an autocrat who is attacking a way of life that was taken for granted in Europe. There is now a greater understanding that this is a matter of common European security. I hope that Europe will take on even more responsibility," said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
According to her, in the short term, the EU does not have sufficient production capacity in the defense sector to fully replace US aid. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase weapons for Ukraine from Washington at European expense. At the same time, according to the committee chair, the EU should move forward on the issue of using frozen russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine: "There is a huge opportunity for this now. Many support this, but the decision has not yet been made due to excessive caution. russia, however, does not care about “risk management.” It is escalating not only in Ukraine but also in European capitals. The only way to stop this is through pressure, strength, and unity."
Responding to a question about finding arguments for European societies, in particular German society, to provide more weapons to Ukraine, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that this is in Europe's interests. "If we do not stop this monster, this cancerous tumor, on our territory, it will come to your societies. It is much cheaper to help Ukraine stop and defeat the russian federation now than to send your citizens to defend your countries later. If we fall, it will not only be Ukraine's defeat — it will be our common defeat. And then you will have to be ready to give your lives for your countries. I think your citizens do not want this. And we do not want this either," said the head of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU.
During the interview, they also discussed the domestic political situation in Ukraine. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze noted that the authorities made a serious mistake by attacking anti-corruption institutions last summer. “We tried to warn them that this was unacceptable, but they didn’t listen to us. I am very grateful to Ukrainian society, which even during the war, under martial law, came out and said, ‘No, we will not give up our democracy, responsibility, and European path.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze also noted that holding elections in Ukraine during the war, which is sometimes discussed in the West, is contrary to the Constitution and is also impossible due to constant attacks by the russian federation. "Elections cannot take place from either a legal or security standpoint if we want them to be free and fair. Ukraine wants to have the right to choose who will lead the country. We cannot follow russia, where so-called ‘elections’ are simply the reappointment of the same leader,” said the committee chair. At the same time, in her opinion, President Zelensky has a chance to restart dialogue with society, for example, by creating a government of national unity. This would stimulate parliamentary debate and unite all those who support reform and democracy in Ukraine.