Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen! Do the Putin friends here in the house know what the Moscow puppet government is doing in Belarus? It's telling that none of them are here either. There are currently 1,160 political prisoners in detention in Belarus, including 165 women. In terms of population, Belarus has the highest number of political prisoners. July 14 is the anniversary of the arrest of the Belarusian literary scholar Ales Bjaljazki. He was arrested in 2021, sentenced two years later to ten years of camp – isolated and getting sicker. Belarusian artist Ales Pushkin has since died in prison, like many others. Belarusian video blogger Zichanouski spent two years in solitary confinement. His words after his release: “A prisoner is still a human being. This is inhumane. This is a nightmare. These are tortures. This must stop." Alexander Lukashenko is Moscow’s puppet. He is a brutal dictator. Let us not forget these crimes and strengthen the opposition.

Madam President, Minister, Commissioner! Kateryna Korovina is a 28-year-old Ukrainian from Luhansk region. She was abducted in March last year on her way to the pharmacy by the Russian domestic intelligence service and is now in a detention centre in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly making small donations to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. And during the interrogations, she was pressured to sign a confession in order to be filmed for a forced propaganda video in which she dropped a pre-recorded text. In court, she courageously retracted her statements and declared that they had been made under psychological and physical pressure. She pleaded not guilty and concluded her statement with a self-written poem entitled ‘Horror in my home’. It is good that we are talking about it today, because the victims have a name; They are not anonymous. And these people in the Occupied Territories deserve our attention as much as all the victims in Ukraine. And I feel bad when I hear someone on the right who calls himself a sociologist, like this is trampled underfoot. Putin is a criminal and no one else.

You are a member of a party that is considered a secure right-wing extremist. I think your immunity has just been lifted – correct me if that is wrong. That you even have the courage to speak like that. I just said, if you've listened, there's a president in the U.S. who obviously loves authoritarianism the way you love it. And I tell you: The majority in this House will not allow politicians like you and your party – who are sitting here, who have allowed themselves to be elected here, not to bring Europe forward, but to destroy this Europe from within – to destroy this European Union. That's why I say: We must not only defend ourselves externally, but also internally, so that politicians like you do not destroy this European Union.

Thank you for your comment. Just after the fall of the Wall, Germany, with the support of the United States, the French and also the British, learned what democracy means. Looking back on 80 years, I believe that in exchange with our neighbors, with our nations, we have done everything we need to do to live together in peace and freedom. And that's why: Yes, I stand here as a German citizen, and I was not born at the time. We have worked through history in Germany for 80 years – and that is a good thing – to this day. I doubt there are countries where the history of participation has been worked out. We have done it, and we will ensure in Germany that we never forget what the Nazis did to this continent and beyond. Because it is correct: More than 60 million people have lost their lives. Germany is a democratic state, and we are responsible. We are happy to be part of the European Union here.

Madam President, ‘It happened, and therefore it can happen again.’ – For example, the Italian writer and Auschwitz survivor Primo Levi warned against forgetting the Nazis’ break in civilization, because the end of World War II is reminiscent of the liberation from National Socialist terror. And that's why we also remember the years before 1945. How could civilized people be capable of this horror? 80 years later, in Germany, the AfD is classified by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a right-wing extremist. Right-wing forces have been on the rise throughout Europe for years. In the U.S., there is a president who obviously loves authoritarianism. Dear colleagues, the EU is the largest and most wonderful peace project in the world. The past should remind us of what can happen when democracies break up and authoritarian regimes take their place. Let us therefore be defensive, both externally and internally, so that what has happened never happens again.

Mr President, Mr Minister! It is always exciting to listen to this debate here. Perhaps some people on the right and left have not yet noticed what is happening in Ukraine. There they are murdered, destroyed, raped, children are abducted, and they have been doing so for over three years. Ladies and gentlemen, stop singing the Russian song to the right and left. It's hanging out your neck. If we want to live in peace and freedom in this Europe in the future, it is existential to recognize the borders of other states. This is the lesson and the end of the Second World War. And that's what I say as a German citizen who fights with passion for Europe. That's the lesson, and that's why: The future of Ukraine is our future. Suffering must come to an end. A just peace means: Ukraine is a member of this Parliament. Ukraine needs to be rebuilt, even with the money that must be given in Russia to make the Russians realize what they are destroying. And, ladies and gentlemen, the reconstruction of Ukraine is ultimately our future. Dear friends – I know and I just heard that and the gentleman who kept talking and was excited that it was over – maybe you should learn the time. Perhaps one should note when the moment has come to say to Russia: Vladimir Putin, stop this war! You have it in your hands to end this war today and now. Our job is to protect Ukraine. Slava Ukrajini.

Madam President, The fact that things are now turbulent is not surprising given the topic. It's about war or peace and how our future will be shaped, and we also have spectators here today. I believe that such a debate is not only important, but it is also about pointing out what is happening around us. The world is on fire, and Russia is bombing Ukraine more than ever, and this morning we were able to re-imagine what is going on there – that is inhumane, that is terrible, and even more terrible is the fact that such a thing is ignored. Europe is on the rise – we also need to become stronger in the context of NATO: the European states, the EU states, but also the European states that are not in the EU. And that's the good news: 29 out of 32 NATO countries now have the chance to become more independent. But we also need to become more competitive. More competitive, so that we can also go into the future, because we need the money that we take into our hands today, but it must also be generated again in the long run. What we are seeing in Ukraine – I come back to that – shows images as we know them from the First World War, but also modern, terrible warfare, and we have to find answers to that in research, in technology. I am very grateful to the new Commissioner for Defence and Security for approaching the work with great enthusiasm. And, of course, the hard work of convincing the nations now, the individual states, is that they can also trust Europe. And this will show the future that we are also trustworthy, that we use the money we take into our hands meaningfully and correctly. And I hope that the White Paper must be very clear and precise. The days of ‘lala’ and ‘we'll see’ and ‘business as usual’ are over. Ladies and gentlemen, as I just started, I am telling you that the world is on fire, and we in Europe can make a difference as the largest peace project in the world.

Helau, I can only say. I'm glad you just confirmed what I said. They sing Putin's song. Yes, Ukraine needs to be supported, with everything – humanitarian, economic, military. Mr. Trump has said he wants peace done in 24 hours. Now we are at 100 days, because Mr. Trump knows exactly who is sitting on the other side of the table. And so, once again, a clear statement: Humanitarian, economic, military. It is also about Europe. And I'll tell you one thing, even if you don't want to believe it, but you'll remember... (The President interrupted the speaker) ... He'll have to remember that. If Ukraine goes down, that wasn't the last war in Europe, and you'll feel that in your singing too.

Mr President! Commissioner! Three years of killing, destroying, raping, abducting, and Europe must continue to stand with Ukraine, watch, explain to the people what is happening. And yes, if there were to be peace talks, then 80 years after the end of the Second World War, from which we came out stronger as Europe, Europe will sit at the table alongside Ukraine. It is not Russia and not the United States that will decide what our future on our continent will look like. We will have to provide security guarantees, and we will also have to stand by our side in the reconstruction. Ladies and gentlemen, it is terrible enough that there are still – or again and again or more – right-wing politicians and left-wing politicians singing Vladimir Putin’s song, singing the narrative that Ukraine itself is to blame or we ourselves are to blame. Ladies and gentlemen, we as Democrats have the majority in this House, and we will not allow this narrative to fall on fertile ground.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, The European Union is the largest peace project in the world – 27 countries that have come together for decades and were at war with each other 80 years ago. With the end of World War II, two men, Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer, had the courage to stand on the rubble of Europe to stand for a peaceful version of Europe and to overcome wars in the future. What a great historical achievement! My motivation, dear colleagues, as a former Member of the Bundestag, to be elected to this Parliament is based on the fact that I feel that I am a European and that we all have to work together – across borders, because we can no longer live the challenges nationally, but only together. The EU has grown because the countries wanted to achieve security and also more prosperity for their people. The pressure on our Europe has never been greater than it is today. The world is changing rapidly, and we need to find new answers. Old answers to new challenges will not work. Do we really want to take the responsibility for 450 million people seriously and do it justice? Yesterday we debated the outcome of the election in the United States. Here there are some who find the exit great, others see it with great concern. Whatever the point of view, we definitely can't make the world the way we like it. But we, as Europeans, can draw conclusions from this. We need a new self-confidence. We need to be clear about our strength, in the best sense of the word. Europe is a wonderful continent, but let's not fool ourselves: We have all become so entangled in the countries and also here in our own bureaucracy that we are paralyzed. We must and will be competitive so that people stay here, develop their ideas with us, and so that others feel like investing in Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, Europe's security has never been more at risk than it is today. At the latest after Russia's first attack on Ukraine in 2014, we were reminded that there are despots who, in the truest sense of the word, are again crossing borders by force. Europe's response to this Russian attack on Ukraine was pathetic. Ladies and gentlemen, she was pathetic and the consequences were not consistent. The second Russian attack in 2022 is based precisely on this indecision, on this booming silence. Putin had to assume that we had nothing to oppose. But we have something to oppose, and we must oppose something if we want to continue living in peace and freedom in the future. Security and defence are in the hands of the individual nation-states. Anyone who believes that any country can defend itself is mistaken. Only together is this possible. The EU has now reacted and established a Commissioner for Defence and Security for the first time in history. Parliament has turned the subcommittee on defence into a main committee. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have been so constructive in this process. But this must now also be filled with life. The reality is that there is still a long way to go before we can defend ourselves together and effectively – by the way, in cooperation with NATO. We do not want to build parallel structures here, but to take this path together. Ladies and gentlemen, we are indeed different countries, different points of view and logically have different interests, especially since we are at home in different geographical areas. It makes a difference where you live. Many members of the EU have a Russian border. Colleagues grew up in the Soviet Union; You know what unfreedom means. Their gaze is completely different from that of those who live in the heart of Europe, as we do in Germany, surrounded by friends. Our southern European partners, for example, look at the Mediterranean in its beauty, but also in its challenge. Ladies and gentlemen, Prime Minister Tusk just said it: With all the different points of view, we will have to make compromises. Yes, there are, above all, Members or parties on the right side of the House who have allowed themselves to be elected here – this must be allowed to melt on their tongues – in order not to argue for Europe, but to demonstrate this Parliament and to follow the nationalist path. Hence my appeal: We as Democrats in the middle of this House – what we see here is really unbearable. There are members who want Europe's money, but they don't want to preserve and improve our Union the way we want it. That is why, ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion: Countries outside the European Union are not interested in our well-being. If we don't believe in ourselves, if we don't want the good of Europe, who will? It can only be done together. It's nice that the insert came straight from the right. We have taken the right direction. Let us fight together for this Europe, defend it and show the enemies of freedom how strong we are!

What Donald Trump said is unacceptable, but I can only tell you: I'm glad you're not my lawyer, because then I'd have a real problem. Freedom of expression – which you always postulate – also means saying your opinion, and I did, I stand by that. Now the reality has arrived, we will be dealing with Donald Trump, and I am reflecting on our European capabilities. It's good if Democrats work together, especially in this part of the House. You should remember this and not distract from the topic.

I find this a very exciting question. I'm not one of Trump's big fans, but I face reality: The majority of Americans voted for him, and that is why we will work with him – but out of self-confidence. We don't have to let ourselves drift every day, as I said. If you have watched the election campaign, which you may have liked, if I see how it has dealt with minorities, how it has dealt with women’s rights, then I can only wonder. He accused people of eating small children and dogs. Sorry, not all cups in the cupboard are harmless. But he is now president. Let's face reality. And now let's remember that we all have cups in the closet and do our job. We should have started that long ago.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen! Mr. Trump is back, and the most reliable thing about him is his unpredictability. He will be America-FirstIt will run through the programme, and it will drive us every day – 48 months. We should not have sweat on our foreheads, but we should also see this as an opportunity to reflect on our European strengths – and this starts with taking responsibility for our own security. We will have to prepare ourselves financially and operationally. This is an opportunity. We are a wonderful continent. We are responsible for 450 million people, and that's why we need more economic dynamism, we need to organize defense, we need to organize migration, we need to implement pragmatic climate policies, and yes, we need to stand up to authoritarian regimes and structures. We must and will continue to work pragmatically with the United States. But we don't have to make ourselves small, because those who make themselves small are made small. Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to show our strengths. It's time for us to do this together. It's time for us to see this as a duty and no more than a freeze.

Madam President, Ladies and gentlemen! What is happening in Ukraine and what we are seeing: We see a battlefield like in the First World War. On the other hand, we see modern technology of drones. We see hybrid attacks, for example, that the fields are mined so that over 400 million people get problems, starve and migration is triggered. We see cyberattacks and yes, we also see influencing and fake news. All this, to influence our minds, to influence people, ladies and gentlemen – this is a tragedy. It was just listed how the story is being shattered. We see this in Germany when it is said in Russia that the Germans will attack again. That's unbelievable. But do you know what else is at least so bad? That here in this European Parliament, in the biggest peace project in the world, people like Mrs Demirel and others who are telling this story here, are telling this narrative, also on their social networks. And that's why we have to be extremely careful. We must be resistant, and we must also look within our ranks at what we experience here on a daily basis. This is influencing young people, this is influencing social networks, and this must stop.

Thank you very much, Mr President. She always talks for a long time without asking a question – we already know that. In this respect, I can only tell you: The situation is extremely complex and Europe must therefore find exactly the role it has not played for years. And that includes all those involved who need to be seated at a table. And one last sentence, because you just couldn't stop bowing to Israel: Israel has been bombed by Syria for decades, and Israel has now ensured that the poison gas depots have been destroyed and the air force there, so that Islamists do not fall into the hands of what Assad has done, namely kill people. I am optimistic that Mrs Kallas is the right person to sit down at a table with those we need and to ensure peace there. And here we agree: People need security, they need peace and they need the opportunity we have here in Europe to live in peace and freedom, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

Mr President! High Representative, it is a pleasure to see you here today. There is also a moment of happiness when we heard that Assad has finally disappeared. May he find his happiness in Moscow. Ladies and gentlemen, it is also part of the truth to reflect on what Europe has done in recent years, that such a vacuum could even arise and Russia could penetrate there and so brutally support Assad – we know Russia’s scheme also in Ukraine. It is an opportunity that Europe now has, namely to create stability in Syria with stability, because stability in Syria is also a protection for Europe. And we will see if the Islamists are really the future of Syria and not hollow words like in Afghanistan – and then they continue to oppress the people there. Yes, Europe can be present, economically, humanitarianly, even diplomatically. And the Syrians, who have already built their homeland and existence in Europe, can also be bridges and supporters. Important, however, is: Europe, the European flag, must be present, and I am sure, High Representative, that you are the right person who can ultimately paint the image of Europe.

I find this a very exciting question, because you know exactly that there are also collaborators in Ukraine who appear in the Russian name. We don't even know who it was. And the fact that you bring this in shows that you keep telling Putin's story, from morning to night. They are the problem here in this Parliament and not just in the national parliaments. They are telling the nonsense that Putin is telling. And the awful thing is that a lot of people believe that. We don't know who it was. All I can tell you is that we need to protect the underwater structure. All that has just been said is right that we are on the right track. Now it's time to stop talking and talking. Action must now be taken.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen. Since the Russian attack on Ukraine, we have seen what is happening: Battlefields like in the First World War. At the same time: High-tech drones, cyber, disinformation – by the way, this is particularly bad, as you have just heard here on the right, what nonsense is being told – and hybrid attacks. Ladies and gentlemen, this is nothing new at all. The fact that the underwater infrastructure is endangered, that Russian and Chinese ships are in the Baltic Sea, outside the twelve-mile zone, is nothing new. But we are now seeing how it is escalated, how very concrete attacks happen. And that is why it is highly relevant that Europe stands ready – by all means. By the way, it is good that the Commander Task Force Baltic met in Rostock, that the eight neighbouring countries have just joined forces there, by the way, also in combination with NATO. Ladies and gentlemen, we need to find an answer. And if anyone here tells me we're crossing red lines, they know exactly: On the other hand, this is the case. And it is time for us to have answers to these red lines and to respond in a European way, to take the necessary means and equipment into our hands and to raise the European flag in the Baltic Sea.

You just heard your time is up. And I'll tell you: I don't want Europe's time to be over. We see it completely differently. I will never convince you. They tell the story of Vladimir Putin. You're sitting in this house longer than I am. And I'll tell you: Diplomacy yes, but only out of strength and only in the way that Ukraine wants. It is not you and not I who decide, but Ukraine, and we are on Ukraine's side.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen! 937 days of war in Ukraine. 937 days of death, rape, abduction, torture. Ladies and gentlemen, you will have seen the pictures a few days ago, in Lviv, where a rocket destroyed a house and buried a man, his wife and his three daughters. And that is why Europe must consistently stand by Ukraine in humanitarian, financial and military terms. And I'm horrified. Yes, calls for diplomacy can only be made out of strength. I am really surprised that colleagues on the right and left keep telling the narrative of Vladimir Putin here in this free house. Vladimir Putin wants to destroy freedom and peace in Europe – we must make this clear again and again. It is remarkable – which we are all free to choose here – that this story is told here. We are responsible to our children and grandchildren, and as a newly elected member of this wonderful Parliament, I say: We will show this forehead to Putin and all despots – that we want to continue living together with the states in peace and freedom in Europe in the future.