Four Years of Russian Invasion

Four Years of Russian Invasion: Paneuropa Movement Austria Demands Clear Goals and Stronger Support for Ukraine.

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Paneuropa Movement Austria reminds us that this war did not begin in 2022, but already in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the attack in Donbas. Nevertheless, the European Union still lacks a clear definition of the political objective it aims to achieve with its support for Ukraine.

“To say that one supports Ukraine for as long as necessary is clearly not enough,” emphasizes Rainhard Kloucek, President of the Paneuropa Movement Austria.

Secretary General Georg Lundström-Halbgebauer adds: “Russia openly pursues the goal of restoring its colonial sphere of influence. As long as Europe merely reacts instead of developing a common political vision, European foreign policy remains too weak to effectively counter the Putin regime’s power aspirations.”

The Paneuropa Movement Austria demands four goals for a coherent European Ukraine policy:

“Restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,

Reparations from Moscow,

and regime change in Moscow.

The case of Putin must be handled by an international war crimes tribunal.”

To achieve these goals, significantly increased military support is needed, in addition to humanitarian aid. Kloucek: “Strength is the only thing Putin and his regime understand.”

The Paneuropa Movement criticizes Austria’s insufficient contributions to date:

“0.2 percent of GDP as support for Ukraine is no cause for pride,” says Kloucek. Military support would also be possible: The UN Charter applies to all members of the United Nations, which enshrines the individual and collective right to self-defense of an attacked state – and thus explicitly permits military support.

Europe’s and Austria’s hesitant aid prolongs the war and increases human suffering, warns the Paneuropa Movement.

“The Paneuropa idea was born as an idea of peace for Europe,” Kloucek recalls. “Just as the Paneuropa fathers resisted National Socialism almost 100 years ago, today it is about stopping Moscow’s expansionism through military and economic pressure – to restore peace in Europe.”

Several commemorative events will take place on the 4th anniversary. All begin at Stephansplatz.

2:30 PM — Service at St. Stephen’s Cathedral

4:00 PM — Commemoration of the Fallen at Stephansplatz

5:30 PM — Commemorative March to Parliament

Route:

Stephansplatz → Graben → Kohlmarkt → Michaelerplatz → Heldenplatz → Ring → Parliament

6:00 PM — Rally in front of Parliament