Editor’s Note: The following are remarks prepared for the Oct. 11 Council of Europe meeting by Ukrainian member of parliament Oleh Lyashko who leads the 20-member opposition Radical Party faction in the 422-seat Verkhovna Rada.
Since the collapse of communism and the break-up of the USSR and up to the Revolution of Dignity and Maidan in 2014, Ukrainians have fought for the future of their country under the slogan “Bringing Ukraine back home to Europe.”
What is Europe for all of us?
French President Emmanuel Macron recently quite rightly reminded us that Europe is not a supermarket, but a space of values; that is exactly how Europe was perceived by millions of Ukrainians who went out to the Maidan. So, for Ukrainians, “Back to Europe” means, first of all, the restoration of Ukraine’s rightful place within European civilisation. Some of the hard-won, fundamental European values, such as human rights, the rule of law and democracy, form the foundation of this organization – the Council of Europe.
However, not all countries on the European continent today prefer values over brute force. Europe is once again divided by a bloodstained frontline between freedom and slavery, right and wrong, truth and lies. And Ukraine, by the will of history, has unexpectedly found herself on the forefront of the battle to protect European civilisation.
The Europe of values needs to wake up and acknowledge that it is under attack by Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Putin is waging a “hybrid war” not only against Ukraine, but against the entire civilized world. Russia is deliberately destroying the modern international legal order, acting from the standpoint of “Might is right.” That means that Russia is attacking the whole of Europe, which has become a bastion of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Therefore, Ukrainians are defending not only themselves – we are protecting all of you. Helping Ukraine is an expenditure on protection of the entire European continent.
Lessons from European history prove that attempts to appease an aggressor can bring short-term benefits, but strategically, Europe loses, only increasing the risk of a major war.
Cynically and consistently, through intimidation, blackmail, propaganda lies and economic temptation, Putin seeks to fragment Europe, split it from within and undermine European unity and institutions, including the Council of Europe. This respected organization must not give in to Russia’s financial blackmail and start selling indulgences. Forgiveness of Russian sins in exchange for Russian money will put an end to the Council of Europe as a value-based Organisation.
European leaders gathering at the next Council of Europe Summit must give a strong response to Russia’s challenge to reaffirm European unity and to defend democratic security in Europe. We look forward to the solidarity of democratic European nations.
We will win or lose together – Ukraine and Europe. I believe in our common victory.
