Today, new story of Europe being written in Ukraine - von der Leyen

This was announced by the President of this European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke today in New York, during the awarding ceremony at the World Peace and Liberty Awards, which this year was granted to the European Commission by the decision of the World Jurist Association.

The full text of her speech is published on the European Commission website, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The story of our Union is one of democracies, young and old, getting stronger together. It is the story of Germany's and Italy's rebirth after the war. It is the story of Spain's, Portugal's and Greece's path from dictatorship to democracy. It is the story of democratic renaissance after the fall of the Iron Curtain. And the next chapter in this story is being written today – in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, as well as in the Western Balkans," said the President of the European Commission.

She noted that Europe seeks stable and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter, which are universal for all states across the world. These principles were violated by Russia, which invaded Ukraine and once again brought war to the European continent.

"Not only is he (Russian President Vladimir Putin – ed.) committing unspeakable crimes with cities razed to the ground, children taken from their families and civilians killed in cold blood. This war goes also against the very foundation of the United Nations Charter. It is targeting the very idea of a world order based on the international law, where all sovereign countries have equal rights, and all countries shall refrain from ‘the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state'. These are the words of the UN Charter. This is why Europe stands by Ukraine for as long as it takes," Ursula von der Leyen stressed.

She emphasized once again that today Ukraine is fighting not only for its own freedom but also for the freedom of every country, and precisely such freedom is a fundamental principle of the UN Charter.

"No one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine. But lasting peace can only be built upon the foundation of international law. An independent Ukraine, within its recognised international borders, where accountability for war crimes has been met, and with security guarantees, so that Ukrainians can be free from fear. This is at the heart of President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula. Each of its ten points is based on the UN Charter and UN resolutions. The Charter must be the starting point for any negotiation for a just and lasting peace," said the President of the European Commission.

She noted that there is another reason why Ukraine's war against Russian aggression demonstrates the deep connection between peace and the rule of law.

"Ukrainians have made a clear choice for the rule of law and democracy. They want to join the European Union. That means deep and structural reforms – ranging from the independence of the judiciary to anti-corruption, from minorities' rights to media freedom. I must say, it is amazing to see how fast and determined Ukraine is implementing these reforms despite the war," Ursula von der Leyen added.

As already reported, since the outset of Russia’s full-scale aggression on February 24, 2022, the European Union has provided Ukraine with substantial political, economic, financial, humanitarian, and military assistance to ensure the country's right to self-defense, in accordance with the UN Charter. Over the past year, the total amount of aid provided to Ukraine by the EU and individual member states exceeded EUR 70 billion. The European Commission submitted to other European institutions a proposal to amend the multi-year EU budget for 2024-2027 and to create a Ukraine Fund in the amount of EUR 50 billion, which, together with contributions from other international donors, will become the basis for sustainable financing and reconstruction of Ukraine after 2023.

In addition, EU High Representative Josep Borrell proposed to the member states to create a special defense fund within the framework of the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the amount of EUR 20 billion for the next four years, at the rate of EUR 5 billion per year. This will allow the EU countries to provide effective military assistance to Ukraine, including in terms of supply of weapons and ammunition.