Anniversary of the Russian Invasion: Ukraine Defends Europe’s Freedom
Anniversary of the Invasion: Ukraine Defends Europe’s Freedom. Paneuropa Austria emphasises the significance of a Ukrainian victory for the future security of the European model. Russia must be pushed back within its borders.
On the anniversary of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, the Paneuropa Movement Austria once again clearly points to the necessity of a military defeat for Russia. “The security of European peoples can only be guaranteed if the regime in Moscow loses the criminal war of annihilation and international law and the rule of law regain validity,” states Paneuropa Secretary General Rainhard Kloucek. However, a defeat does not mean the destruction of Russia, but simply its withdrawal from Ukraine, because it must be made clear once and for all that wars of conquest in Europe must belong to the past.
There is no room for manoeuvre for credible guarantees from the Russian regime, because: “The Russian regime has broken all treaties and agreements,” emphasises Paneuropa Secretary General Rainhard Kloucek. Only the complete withdrawal of the Russian army and mercenary groups from the whole of Ukraine can bring security and peace to Europe. This applies in particular to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, Putin and his nomenklatura must be held personally accountable before the International Criminal Court.
Without Russia’s defeat and in the event of a potential freezing of the conflict along the current front line, Putin would not only be rewarded with territorial gain for a war of aggression, but would also use the pause to rearm. No European country between Finland, the Baltics, Eastern Europe, and Moldova would accept this.
From Europe, the Paneuropa Movement Austria expects more intensive support for Ukraine and laments that many debates in German-speaking countries show that many have not yet understood the gravity of the situation. The largest war on European soil in decades is currently raging in Ukraine. An axis of totalitarian regimes in Russia – Iran – Belarus – North Korea, tolerated by China, threatens everything Europe stands for: the rule of law, democracy, freedom, and the right to self-determination of peoples.
“Ukraine, against which a war has been waged since 2014, has shown, despite all challenges, that it is reforming, that it is becoming more democratic, that it has an enormously engaged, critical civil society,” emphasises Stefan Haböck, Vice-President of Paneuropa Austria. This is also demonstrated by Ukraine’s resistance to the invading army: while all segments of Ukrainian society, from athletes to scientists, from entrepreneurs to medical professionals, volunteer to defend their country, Putin sends ethnic minorities, men from poorer regions, and prisoners to the front as cannon fodder.
The unconditional unity of Europe and cooperation with Western partners is the key to re-establishing peace and security in Europe.
On behalf of Paneuropa Ukraine, Secretary General Rainhard Kloucek and Vice-President Stefan Haböck also express their gratitude for the enormous readiness of Austrians to provide aid and donations. “The people in Ukraine greatly appreciate this willingness to help,” say Kloucek and Haböck.
Featured image: c creativesforukraine Medilė Šiaulytytė
