The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, welcomed the German government’s decision to deliver Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. “It is important that we continue to support the Ukrainian people – politically, humanitarian, financially and militarily,” she said on Saturday at the meeting of the CSU members of the Bundestag in the Seeon monastery in Upper Bavaria.
Europe must meet Ukraine’s demands for help, Metsola said. She doesn’t want only the United States to do this. “Strengthening our security also depends on strengthening the security of our neighbors. They are not strong and secure if we are not.” Europe must therefore also expand its security and defense preparedness. To do this, you have to create a real security and defense union that complements NATO.
Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita stressed that Ukraine is fighting for values such as democracy, freedom and human rights, which are the values of all of Europe. “Ukraine must be supported in this fight.” Your own country is a collateral victim of the Ukraine war with significant economic and social consequences. “But we are also in a hybrid war.” There are cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns.
The head of government of the country bordering Ukraine thanked the federal government for its support in the EU accession process and the German population for the humanitarian aid. Your country needs further support because the negative consequences of the war, like the recession, are getting worse and worse. CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that his party supports rapid admission to the EU. “We believe that this is an important contribution for the people of Moldova to hope for good future prospects.”
Parliament President Metsola was also asked about CSU leader Markus Söder’s criticism that Germany always acts too late and is now the “lonely man in Europe”. She said that there are different debates and solutions in the individual EU member states. But: “What can be done should be done. Because we have no other choice.” Every single country must show its responsibility.
Metsola attested to Germany showing leadership in Europe. She sees a country “that leads, that takes responsibility, that shares responsibility”. CSU regional group leader Dobrindt, on the other hand, again demanded more leadership from Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). “A weak federal government is an Achilles’ heel for Europe.” The current leadership weakness is the reason “why Europe as a whole cannot be strong”.
