Ukraine, Mattarella: support Kiev or world peace will be at risk

No tiredness is allowed. A few hours after the Russian bombs in Kharkiv, after the assurances received from EU Foreign Ministers to Volodymyr Zelensky, Sergio Mattarella renewed the need for commitment in supporting Kiev’s resistance. The Head of State reiterates the line in Porto, in a limited summit with the fifteen non-executive EU Heads of State from the Arraiolos Group. Supporting Kiev – says the tenant on the Hill clearly – means avoiding the danger of a conflict with unpredictable borders. If Ukraine fell, the reasoning goes, we would see a tendency towards aggression against other countries bordering Russia and this – as happened in the last century between 1938 and 1939 – would lead to a general and devastating conflict.

It is sad to see so many lives taken, so much destruction, enormous financial resources consumed in armaments, but what we are doing – the message from the Head of State – protects world peace. The objective, for Mattarella, continues to be to build the conditions to achieve peace, but a just and not ephemeral peace, “based on the sovereignty of Ukraine and respect for the principles of international law”. The line is shared by all 13 non-executive EU heads of state who sit alongside Mattarella, even if the invitation to do more on the diplomatic front comes from Bulgaria and Hungary. “I believe that Europe cannot afford to continue the war for much longer – admits the Bulgarian president, Rumen Radev – We need a stronger voice, a political initiative that calls for peace and security”. “We reiterated our support for Ukraine and we reiterated that Russia crossed the Rubicon when it invaded Ukraine, but I appreciate the fact that more and more leaders are talking about a lasting and fair peace – echoes Hungarian President Katalin – Novák – We must fight for this, also representing the interests of our people. The Hungarian people want peace”, he explains.

It is in the future of the EU that distinctions between leaders remain. Sergio Mattarella invites us to vigorously pursue the enlargement of the Union to Ukraine, the Western Balkans, Moldova and, when the time comes, Georgia. At the same time, however, “with frankness and freedom” he returns to the need to review common institutions in depth to guarantee them greater effectiveness in decision-making. “A truly incisive policy – ​​he says clearly – is not possible without a quality leap forward in terms of integration within us. We cannot escape the choices that are imposed on us: we would empty the Union of prospects for protagonism. will make all our countries of little relevance.”

For Mattarella, everything revolves around the need to reform the EU Treaties to eliminate unanimity and introduce majority voting, achieve an effective common foreign and defense policy, entrust Parliament with authentic decision-making tasks, complete the financial architecture of the Union. “It is ambitious work, which requires vision and foresight. But it is a ticket without proof of appeal. “There won’t be a second half to do this. The world would leave us behind”, is the prediction of the Colle tenant who draws the attention of his colleagues to the next European elections: “Why do we call on more than 400 million citizens to vote? What does this great democratic exercise involve? It must rely on an efficient and effective European structure, capable of making quick decisions. It is an ambitious and difficult objective, but this is Europe’s style: to act in difficulties and crises”, he assures.

Source: IL Tempo

\