In a stirring, passionate speech at the Ukrainian parliament on Feb. 19, European Council President Donald Tusk reaffirmed the European Union’s deep commitment to Ukraine’s safety, independence and prosperity.
“There can be no just Europe without an independent Ukraine. There can be no safe Europe without a safe Ukraine. To put it simply: there can be no Europe without Ukraine!” Tusk told Ukrainian leaders and lawmakers, to sustained, loud applause, and a standing ovation.
Delivering a 15-minute speech, entirely in Ukrainian, from the tribune of the country’s parliament the Verkhovna Rada, Tusk said the Ukrainian people were a constant inspiration to Europe.
“Take it from a Pole, that we understand the problem of aggressive neighbors… And often, the feeling of loneliness can be worse than the attacks of the enemy,” he said.
“I’m here as president of the European Council but also as your friend… And today, in your Verkhovna Rada, I am telling you this: we are with you… myself, and the whole EU,” he said, reaffirming his own personal solidarity with Ukraine and that of the 28 EU member states too.
“Europe will never recognize the Russian occupation of Crimea and we will never drop the sanctions while it is occupied, nor will Europe ever tolerate violence in the Sea of Azov.”
He also said that the European Union’s doors will remain open to Ukraine.
“Europe welcomes you,” he said, adding that Ukraine can continue to count on Europe to support its accession to the EU, and for support and solidarity as it faces down Russian aggression.
Tusk, a former prime minister of Poland who took the EU’s top position in 2014, recalled how Polish Pope John Paul II, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church until 2005, used to say there was no Europe without Poland. Now the same is true for Ukraine, Tusk said.
Tusk, who heads the council that represents the heads of state or government of the 28-member European bloc, was watched by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, and most of Ukraine’s government ministers and presidential candidates as he spoke before a packed hall.
“We in Europe also thank you for the courage and sacrifice of your Heavenly Hundred,” he added, in reference to the more than 100 protesters who were killed by security forces and snipers loyal to former President Viktor Yanukovych during the EuroMaidan Revolution, as the Russian-backed strongman tried to use violence in a failed bid to cling to power in 2014.
Also on Feb. 19, Tusk and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko laid flowers during a solemn memorial service on Kyiv’s central Maidan Square, to honor the fifth anniversary of one of the EuroMaidan Revolution’s deadliest days. Tusk said that the resilience of Ukrainians, faced with violence and external aggression, was an inspiration to all Europeans.
“We swear an oath to the mothers of Ukraine, that we will always remember your sons,” he said, adding that the sacrifices that Ukrainians were making sent a strong, dignified message that “good can prevail over evil.”
“You’ve given hope to those that are weak today, assuring them that tomorrow they can achieve victory.”
“And thank you for being so European,” Tusk said, reaffirming the EU’s total commitment to the EU-Ukraine association agreement, and the framework for the country eventually entering the 28-member bloc.
Tusk said that it wasn’t Europe’s place to lecture Ukraine on what it means to be European, instead, he suggested that his high-level colleagues in Brussels should look to Ukraine’s dignity, bravery and sacrifice to understand what it meant to be a European.
“Don’t teach them how to be European,” he said. “Learn from them what Europe is.”
On the question of solidarity with Ukraine in Europe, Tusk said he had no time for anyone who didn’t stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainians.
“One who is ready to trade Ukraine is selling the future of Europe… and it’s not an accident that those politicians who often doubt European integration also cast doubt on the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” he said.
“Only those who show solidarity with Ukraine have the right to call themselves European… tell me what you think of Ukraine and I’ll know what you think of Europe.”
But Tusk also had some gentle warnings and guidance for Ukraine, saying “it came from the heart” and hoped it wouldn’t cause offence.
“Avoid the temptations of nationalism and radical populism,” he warned, adding that Europe had suffered enough from the division, egotism and chauvinism that comes from such thinking.
It would damage common causes and leave Ukraine vulnerable to external aggression, Tusk suggested.
While some countries are pivoting to populism and eroding their democracies, Ukraine must choose a better path, Tusk said.
“Ukraine is too proud, strong and great to need to inject the drug of populism,” he said.
“The democracy of freedom and human rights, it is not a rudiment of the past… this is no time for authoritarian democracy,” he said, adding that Ukraine must push forward with reforms, continue fighting corruption while improving transparency and fairness.
“Long live the memory of your heroes – and long live your country,” Tusk concluded, before being whisked away for private meetings.
More European support
As President Donald Tusk continues with his 3-day trip to Ukraine by heading to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, close to the border with his home country Poland, other European officials are thought to be preparing to boost the bloc’s support for Ukraine.
The EU is about to introduce a new package of sanctions against Russia that is expected to target individuals with a connection to naval aggression against Ukraine near the Kerch Strait on Nov. 25, 2018, in which 24 Ukrainian sailors were attacked and captured.
The European Investment Bank, the European Union’s official lending bank, has said that it’s ready to pump more money into projects in eastern Ukraine, especially the blockaded Azov Sea region, and is the consultation and planning stages now.
On Feb. 18, Federica Mogherini, high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said that the EU member states had held consultations on how to support and sustain Ukraine’s reform agenda.
She also reaffirmed that the EU remains committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, without mentioning Russia specifically.
The EU had, she also said, identified areas of further support in Ukraine’s Azov Sea region. She singled out roads, railways, small and medium-sized businesses and said the EU will follow up to strengthen support.
