Europe stands with Ukraine!

Feature photo: flags of Ukraine and the EU | © Shutterstock

Last Thursday, Putin significantly changed the international order with the war of aggression. Putin has made it clear that he no longer respects the sovereignty of his neighbors. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and will isolate Putin politically, economically and militarily. This must be coordinated internationally to make it clear to all autocrats and dictators that the free world will not accept this. Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave strong and clear answers to the Russian breach of international law in the government declaration at the special session of the Bundestag and made it clear that we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainians. All democratic factions have confirmed their support for the federal government. The Bundestag, as the highest organ of our constitution, has given the executive backing for their further actions. With tough sanctions, humanitarian aid and arms deliveries, we are showing our solidarity with Ukraine and are standing united and resolutely by its side - in an internationally coordinated manner.

We are aware that the sanctions will end up hurting us too. However, we cannot accept that Russia is at war in the middle of Europe, questioning the sovereignty and integrity of its neighbors and attacking militarily. We mustn't hide the fact that the sanctions mean that we, too, will have to reckon with rising energy prices and an increase in the cost of living. That is why the government has also launched a relief package to cushion the negative impact on citizens. We don't know how hungry Putin is and when our own security will actually be endangered. So we have to internalize that we have to make sacrifices for our freedom.

It is clear that we have to learn from this situation. We are not well enough prepared for military conflicts and decision-making within the European Union also needs to be improved. We must tackle this now in order to be prepared for the changed world situation in the future. We must now advance European integration. Military cooperation in particular must be intensified and the goal of a common European army brought back into focus. The federal government has announced that it will significantly increase military spending. However, I want to state that we have to do this in close coordination with our partners and the EU states so that the funds are used in the best possible way.

We must also learn from the last few days that we can only assert international influence as a strong European Union and be perceived as a partner on an equal footing. To do this, we need significantly larger steps towards integration so that the EU can react quickly and with one voice. In order to be able to speak with one voice, we not only need military and foreign policy integration within the Union, but we also have to opt for greater cooperation in all policy areas. For me, the clear goal remains the “United States of Europe”. But we won't be able to do this overnight. But now is the time to take decisive steps in this direction!

Josip Juratovic has represented the people from and around Heilbronn in the German Bundestag since 2005. He is a member of the European Committee and a deputy member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. As a convinced European federalist, he is constantly working to strengthen democratic institutions in Europe. He has been a member of EUROPA-UNION Heilbronn for many years and deputy chairman of the EUROPA-UNION parliamentary group in the German Bundestag.

i learned Josip Juratovic at the beginning of the 1990s, when we both volunteered to support the affected populations of the Western Balkans at the beginning of the Yugoslavia conflict. Since that time we have been working together in the EUROPA-UNION for a better world.

So I'm particularly pleased that Josip is now using Putin's war of aggression on Europe as an opportunity to write a post on my weblog. I very much regret, however, that now, after 30 years, war, death and unspeakable suffering has broken out again for many Europeans!