Putin cannot understand the desire for freedom, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said today in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, dedicated to the second year of the war in Ukraine.
“The EU and Ukraine have shown that we are ready to fight and pay the highest price for what we believe in”von der Leyen told MEPs, noting that Putin’s instinct is to crush what scares him.
The invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago, she defined as “not only morally, but also strategically wrong”, reports the correspondent of BNR.
“Mr. Putin, you made this mistake because you cannot understand what drives the human spirit, when he is free to think, dream, create and prosper because you cannot bear to accept that man’s quest for freedom will always win! And dear MEPs, Putin cannot understand that if he gives the people a choice, they will choose freedom once and for all.” said the President of the EC.
Von der Leyen noted that the EU has so far trained over 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers and allocated 28 billion euros in military support, increasing the production capacity of the EU defense industry by 40%. Although the EU will deliver 1 million shells to Ukraine by the end of 2024, von der Leyen said “this is certainly not enough” and called on member states to speed up the supply of ammunition. She added that the EU would also integrate Ukraine into some of its defense programs “where necessary.”
The EC will withdraw the proposal for the regulation on plant protection products
The President of the European Commission also linked the losses of European farmers to the war in Ukraine and to climate change. Von der Leyen will propose the withdrawal of the new regulation on the gradual reduction of the production and use of pesticides in the EU. This is how she reacted to the many thousands of farmers’ protests in Europe.
Four months before the European elections, Ursula von der Leyen is inclined to make concessions on the regulation, which provided for the use of pesticides to be halved by 2030. This intention is one of the eco-regulations against which farmers are protesting.
“Farmers are on the front lines and feeling the effects of climate change. Droughts and floods have destroyed crops and threaten livestock. Farmers are feeling the effects of the Russian war, inflation, rising energy and fertilizer prices. However, they work hard every day to produce the quality food we eat. Therefore we owe them appreciation, thanks and respect. That’s why they deserve to be heard.” pointed out the president of the EC. Von der Leyen will propose the withdrawal of the new regulation on the gradual reduction of the production and use of pesticides in the EU. This is how she reacted to the many thousands of farmers’ protests in Europe. However, she explained that the measure is only temporary.
On the occasion of the second year of the war, Bulgarian MEPs also spoke before the EP.
“Russia must experience all the horror of the war that started,” said EPP MEP Alexander Yordanov for his part and called for the suspension of diplomatic relations.
His colleague Radan Kanev called the MEPs from the left “useful idiots” because of their attitude towards Russia.
“Soon it will be not only 2 years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but also 10 years since the illegal annexation of Crimea and 20 years since the poisoning of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. And 20 years later, the so-called “useful idiots” in this hall should clearly see the imperial intentions of the Kremlin regime” – this is how the MEP from the same group, Radan Kanev, addressed his colleagues from the extreme left.
2024-02-06 15:27:51
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