Selenskyj in Brussels: A struggle for freedom and democracy

In Brussels, the Ukrainian President Selenskyj invokes the fight against the “greatest anti-European power”. He calls for more weapons and seeks rapprochement with the EU. However, the reactions make it clear that Ukraine still has a long way to go to accession.

It is an EU summit that has had a major theme from the start: Ukraine and its war against the aggressor Russia. Ultimately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj came to Brussels in person – despite all the security concerns. After his visits to London and Paris, this is another opportunity to underline what is important to him and his country: the continued support of the European Union – as long as this war lasts. Military, financial, moral.

In his speech to the European Parliament, Selenskyj left no doubt as to what he believes this war is about: namely, a fight against the greatest anti-European power of modernity, which aims to destroy, as he put it, ” Ukrainian-European way of life”. On the other hand, the Ukrainians fought on the battlefield together with the people of Europe – a historic fight. In this context, Selenskyj also spoke of a total war.

Great unity of Europeans in Ukraine policy

EU Council President Charles Michel had already said when Zelenskyj arrived at Brussels airport that the Ukrainian President had now arrived at home – which some saw as a clear signal from Michel that not only Ukraine itself but also the European Union had a significant interest in Ukraine joining the EU as quickly as possible.

Although Michel did not say so explicitly, he did emphasize the great unity of Europeans on Ukraine policy. There is a lot of unity because you want to support the people there who have decided to resist. And for defending the values ​​that are also the foundation for Europe: freedom, democracy and the dignity of each and every individual.

Ukraine official candidate country

However, many of the 27 European heads of state and government do not see a rapid accession of Ukraine. Nobody has explicitly called for this today – on the contrary. They said they were on their way. Now is the time to keep working on it. After all, Ukraine already has the official status of a candidate country.

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz recalled that other states with candidate status had also been waiting for accession for a long time. According to Scholz, the Western Balkans states above all for too long: history like this shouldn’t be allowed to repeat itself. The countries had been promised accession 20 years ago. “We have to speed things up, also with a view to our own decision-making processes,” said the Chancellor.

One message resonates: Nobody should be under any illusions, not even in Kyiv. According to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukraine has recently made impressive progress towards European integration. However, she emphasized that there is no rigid schedule and that it is all a “performance-based process”.

Selenskyj underlines the demand for more powerful weapons

Hardly less than Ukraine’s accession to the EU, the question of further military support was discussed in Brussels today. Zelenskyy used both his speech in the European Parliament and the meeting with the heads of government to underline his call for more powerful weapons and at the same time to demand more speed.

Ukraine needs ammunition, modern tanks, long-range missiles and fighter jets. “I don’t have the right, just not the right, to go back to Kyiv on this issue without a result. It’s crucial for our defense capability and for myself. It may seem pushy, but for us it’s just pragmatic – not cynical “said Zelenskyy. He added that you need these weapons to survive.

No end to the conflict in sight

His appearance today and his demands are therefore likely to fuel the debates about further arms deliveries. At the start of the Ukraine war almost a year ago, it was still about steel helmets and ammunition, later about reconnaissance tanks and missile defense systems, then about battle tanks and now about airplanes. Some in the EU – not least in Germany – view this development with concern, because Europe could ultimately be actively drawn into the war.

It was Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev who was the only one who openly spoke out against further military aid for Ukraine today in Brussels. It is now time to initiate measures to end the conflict, he demanded. So far one has searched in vain for it. Also at this EU summit.