105 years ago, one of the key events of the national state and diplomacy took place — the signing of the Beresteysky peace treaty, when the Ukrainian People's Republic received the first international confession. Read more in the exclusive blog for the Channel 24 website.
How Zelenskiy's visit to the EU builds a new security architecture
It was then, in the crucible of war, that the people of Ukraine began to declare themselves as an independent player, whose place is among the free nations of the world.
However, the young UNR could not resist for long. There are several reasons, including the myopia of the then European establishment and, as a result, a biased perception of realities and challenges.
The modern Ukrainian state, despite the fact that it has been independent for almost 32 years, is also at the stage of recognition. True, not diplomatic, but geopolitical, because it is on its territory that the future fate of Europe and the world is being decided, and Ukraine is the main subject of this process.
The European tour of President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in London and Paris on February 8, and on February 9 delivered a speech and received a standing ovation in the European Parliament, can be considered a significant step towards building a new security architecture, where Ukraine will play one of the key violins. Therefore, according to Polish General Bohuslaw Patsek, the diplomatic mission undertaken by the President of Ukraine is extremely important.
Zelensky is doing everything he can for the state
“Today, what the President of Ukraine is doing in European capitals may give more to his state than fighting divisions”, Patsek said.
At the same time, the military assessed that the purpose of Zelensky's visit is to obtain aircraft and other types of weapons for Ukraine, as well as to motivate European society to continue to help fight against Russia.
“I would like everyone to support Ukraine the way the Poles, the Americans, the British or the Baltic countries, but eat it as it is. We have to deal with the real situation, Zelensky is doing what he can,”-added the general.
However, according to the military, “good speeches do a lot, but not all.” What he clearly reproached the partner countries for political slowness.
“The supply of tanks and artillery to Ukraine, thoughts about aircraft are belated. The latter are needed like air for the Ukrainians to launch a counteroffensive,”, Patsek stated.
According to the director of foreign policy of the Center for European Reforms, Jan Bond, Zelensky's visit to Brussels, shortly after the Ukraine-EU summit in Kyiv, is an important element of the “theatre”. He tells Russia that the European Union firmly supports Ukraine.
“Europe! We are defending ourselves from the most anti-European force of the modern world. We are defending ourselves. We, Ukrainians, are with you on the battlefield. I thank you for defending together! And we must defend ourselves!” Zelensky said in the European Parliament.
According to Bond, in fact, EU leaders must consider four key issues. Namely:
- how to ensure the supply of weapons,
- how to keep the Ukrainian economy functioning,
- how to keep the political line on Ukraine's application for membership,
- how to continue to increase pressure on Russia economically and diplomatically.
How the statements of European politicians have changed during the year of the war
And, it must be admitted, Kyiv's calls were still heard. Now, when so much has happened, messages are heard from European leaders, which until recently were so lacking.
“Ukraine is Europe, and your future is in the European Union. Now the EU countries must urgently consider the possibility of providing Ukraine with fighter jets and long-range weapons. Our response must be proportional to the threat, and this threat is existential”, she urged President of the European Parliament Roberta Metzola.
Indeed, a year ago, such statements, when President Zelensky from the attacked Kyiv joined the EU summit and told European leaders that they could see each other for the last time, were not even imagined. Now the reality is quite different. And the trend is progressing.
Obviously, Europe, like the entire free world, has become convinced of the desire of Ukrainians to fight to the bitter end. And, perhaps, conclusions were also drawn from the events of a hundred years ago, when Ukraine was not fully heard, the consequences of which were felt by most of the peoples of the continent.
Most likely, many factors take place. It is clear, after all, that it is no longer possible to delay. It is necessary to act immediately – in order to stop the Russian neo-Bolshevik invasion in the short term and prevent the further spread of war, destruction and chaos.
“Russia is an aggressor. For years we have warned against its imperialism. Therefore, Poland was the first to side of Ukraine and showed that this is a war for the future of Europe and the freedom of the world”, – such a message can be read on Twitter from the Office of Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in the context of his meeting with Zelensky in Brussels.
It is difficult to disagree with this thesis. So the fight continues. The repetition of the mistakes of the past is unacceptable. As well as providing suggestions for alternatives to our common victory.
