Poroshenko shores up support, brainstorms with European decision makers in Brussels
Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s former president (2014-2019) and leader of Ukraine’s European Solidarity Party in parliament has met with supporters of Ukraine in the European Parliament in Brussels, led by MEP Petras Auštrevičius.
"I am pleasantly surprised by the level of mobilization of Ukraine's supporters within the walls of the new European Parliament. Among them are now more and more representatives from Western and Central European countries. Currently, about a hundred MEPs are actively working on the "Ukrainian dossier" and are trying to help our country in these difficult times. Such support is extremely important," Poroshenko wrote on social networks.
"Almost an hour and a half of our conversation flew by in an instant. Frank discussions, brainstorming on almost all issues on the agenda. We discussed the situation at the front, and ways to justly and realistically end the war, the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the capabilities of the European defense industry, and ways to punish the aggressor. We also discussed the priorities of post-war restoration of Ukraine and the challenges for the democratic and economic stability of our state, the prospects for joining the EU and NATO," Poroshenko said.
"Ukraine must receive a confirmed guarantee that it will become a NATO member on the first day of peace. Only such a mechanism can keep Russia from a new attack. I am sincerely grateful to the deputies for supporting our initiative to approve the resolution on Ukraine as the first resolution of the new convocation of the EU legislative body," Ukraine’s former president said.
"It's crazy, there is still a lot of work and challenges ahead, but with such a level of support and interest in Ukraine from MEPs, I am convinced that we will succeed. Such meetings give confidence: Ukraine will win and become a member of the united European family," Poroshenko said.
The European Solidarity leader also met with the newly appointed Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation to the Ukraine-EU Parliamentary Association Committee Pekka Toveri.
"An experienced system professional with a huge military background deeply understands the challenges that Ukraine faces and the strategic importance of defeating the Russian aggressor for long-term security on the continent. We discussed in detail the situation at the front, the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the possibilities of the European Union to strengthen the military resilience of Ukraine, as well as the prospects for accelerating the negotiation process on Ukraine's accession to the European Union," Poroshenko noted.
Poroshenko also held meetings with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis, Director-General for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy of the European Commission Gert-Jan Koopman, MEP Andrius Kubilius, who is a candidate for the post of European Commissioner for Security and Space, MEP, co-rapporteur on Ukraine Michael Gahler and with the President of the European People's Party Manfred Weber.
Earlier, during his speech at the EPP Political Assembly, Poroshenko called on future European Commissioners to cast aside their fear of Putin and ensure Ukraine's victory in the war. He also noted that our country's membership in the EU and NATO is one of the main conditions for victory over the aggressor country. He also once again recalled the "red lines" on Ukraine.
"No compromises on Ukrainian sovereignty. No compromises on territorial integrity. No compromises on democracy. No compromises on security and weakening the Ukrainian army, perhaps one of the strongest on the continent now. No compromises on values. That's why I'm here. And that's why we are together, to demonstrate unity for the next five years," he emphasized.