23
Apr
2024
Watch
The use of Russian frozen assets to support Ukraine’s victory and reconstruction (debate)
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to win, we just need to know when and at what price. I heard this phrase from Igor Zhovkva, Zelensky’s diplomatic adviser, on 9 June 2022, almost two years ago, when I was in Kiev after Russia’s abrupt invasion of Ukraine. And I never imagined that, almost two years later, we would continue to witness the agony of the Ukrainian people. A people that has resisted in an absolutely tragic way the barbaric onslaughts of an autocratic and oppressive regime. A few days ago, a colleague of ours reminded us here in this gallery of what is so obvious, so obvious and which no one understands is not yet happening. Why doesn't Europe, which has 100 Patriot missiles, dispense seven to Ukraine? What are we waiting for? Why don't we use frozen Russian assets to fund weapons for Ukrainians to defend themselves? My friends, colleagues, the faster we help Ukraine, the faster Ukraine will win. The faster we help Ukraine, the more lives we will save. Time is running out for Russia and against the Ukrainians. Time is delaying freedom and democracy. Time, my friends, is not for speeches. Time is for action and time is for us to help Ukraine win the war. And by the way, by the way.