There is only one language that Russian President Vladimir Putin understands, and that is to provide Ukraine with the means to defend itself, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the 2004 enlargement in Strasbourg on Wednesday, UNN reports.
What happens in Ukraine will shape the future of our Union forever. We cannot overlook and we cannot overstate that Russia poses an existential threat not only to Ukraine, but also to Europe. A Putin win would not only change the map, it would not only mask the face of the Ukrainian nation, but it would change the course of European history. Our Union would never be the same. And Ukraine is carrying that heavy burden on its shoulders for all of us and it is paying the ultimate price every day for that. We have seen the devastating attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and the difficult days on the battlefield. My friends, there is only one way to face up to this. There is only one language Putin understands. And that is: providing Ukraine with means to defend themselves
"Putin believed that we would not stand up for democracy and independence in Ukraine. He was wrong. Putin believed that US military support would not pass the US Congress. He was wrong, again. The military assistance from the United States and our assistance, from the European Union, is an encouragement for us to do even more. And we must be very clear about this. For Europe to win the future – just as it did 20 years ago – Ukraine must win," the European Commission President emphasized.
Von der Leyen pointed out that "Ukraine has made its European choice, and you know what that means."
"And we have made our Ukrainian choice. Just like we made our choice all those years ago when we welcomed so many countries back home to our Union," she said, adding that "the decisions we will take in the next days, weeks and months will decide who wins the future of Europe."
"So together, let us stay united. Let us stay strong with Ukraine. And let us stay ambitious on enlargement and reform. This is how we will make good on that European promise once again – just as we did 20 years ago," the European Commission President summarized.